A Cambria County man was killed yesterday morning in a mining accident when he was pinned between a machine and the mine wall.

William Pardee, 62, of Hastings, was pronounced dead at 5:39 a.m. at Nolo Mine on Simons Rock Road in Indiana County.

When Mr. Pardee tried to start a feeder machine that was already in gear, he was immediately crushed against the wall.

Indiana County Coroner Michael Baker said Mr. Pardee suffered severe injuries to his chest and abdomen.

Including the death of Mr. Pardee, there have been five mining fatalities in Pennsylvania this year: four underground, and one surface electrocution. All were ruled accidents due to workman error, said Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Spokesman Tom Rathbun.

Mr. Pardee, a native of Cambria County, began mining in his 20s shortly after he returned from military service in Vietnam, said his cousin, Jim Hnatkovich, of Hastings.

An easygoing, good-humored family man, Mr. Pardee enjoyed hunting and fishing in his spare time. He was particularly devoted to his two grandchildren, said Mr. Hnatkovich.

Mr. Pardee was also an "avid historian," he said. "He loved The History Channel. He knew more about history than anybody I know."

In addition to his grandchildren, Mr. Pardee is survived by his wife, Barbara, and his daughter, Marcie Woodley, both of Hastings.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Moriconi Funeral Home in Northern Cambria.