AN INVESTIGATION was under way today after a miner was killed in a horrific accident at a North Yorkshire pit.

Anthony Poulton, 40, died after being struck by a massive piece of rock which fell from the roof of a tunnel he was helping to excavate at Stillingfleet Mine.

Today production at the 600-man pit was at a standstill as shocked workmates downed tools and went home as a mark of respect.

Mr Poulton, who celebrated his 40th birthday last Wednesday, was understood to have been married with children.

He was part of a four-man tunnelling team working on yesterday's afternoon shift half a mile below ground, about a mile south of Naburn.

The accident happened at about 6pm when Mr Poulton suffered severe leg injuries after being trapped by the rock fall.

His workmates sounded the alarm and he was given medical attention before losing consciousness.

He was taken to York District Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

A UK Coal spokesman said steel girders and rock bolts were being used to support the tunnel, which is more than three miles from the access shafts.

The spokesman added: "It's the first fatality at a UK Coal mine for more than four years. It's tragic and our sympathies go out to Mr Poulton's family."

Updated: 10:45 Wednesday, December 19, 2001