A worker who became trapped after an 11-story building collapsed at a shuttered coal plant in eastern Kentucky has died following a multi-day rescue effort to find the missing man, officials said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His death comes two days after another worker who was also trapped in the rubble died, officials said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The coal preparation plant in Martin County collapsed at approximately 6:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, according to Kentucky Emergency Management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two workers became trapped “underneath multiple floors of concrete and steel,” the agency said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rescue efforts had been underway since Tuesday night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Emergency workers quickly located one of the workers — identified by officials as Billy Daniels — and spoke with him, though he died on Wednesday, Martin County Sheriff John Kirk said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rescuers attempted to free Daniels but were unable to before he died, Martin County Judge\/Executive Dr. Lon Lafferty told reporters during a press briefing on Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PHOTO: A sheriff’s vehicle blocks a road leading to the area where a rescue operation is underway for two workers trapped inside a collapsed coal preparation plant in Martin County, Kentucky, on Nov. 1, 2023.
A sheriff’s vehicle blocks a road leading to the area where a rescue operation is underway for two workers trapped inside a collapsed coal preparation plant in Martin County, Kentucky, on Nov. 1, 2023.
Ryan C. Hermens\/Lexington Herald-Leader via TNS via Newscom
The second worker — identified as Alvin Nees — could not immediately be located. Following a days-long rescue operation, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear updated on Friday that he died.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“This is a heartbreaking situation,” Beshear said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beshear declared a state of emergency in Martin County to mobilize state resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Multiple agencies responded to the scene to assist in the rescue efforts, including the National Guard\u2019s Special Tactics Squadron K-9 search dog unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Upward of 50 rescuers are on the scene, officials said Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It’s horrific,” Lafferty said of the scene. “Very large structure that was collapsed in on itself.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Tremendous amount of weight, tremendous amount of force, tremendous pile of rubble there now,” he continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PHOTO: Martin County Judge Executive Lon Lafferty addresses reporters outside a road leading to the abandoned Martin Mine Prep Plant in Inez, K.Y. , on Nov. 1, 2023, where the collapse of an 11-story coal tipple killed at least one man.
Martin County Judge Executive Lon Lafferty addresses reporters outside a road leading to the abandoned Martin Mine Prep Plant in Inez, K.Y. , on Nov. 1, 2023, where the collapse of an 11-story coal tipple killed at least one man.
The two workers were helping demolish the building at the abandoned mine site on Wolf Creek, according to Lafferty. A crew was working on the ground at the time of the collapse, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lafferty was unable to confirm who employed the two workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lafferty said in a social media post early Wednesday that he declared a local state of emergency in Martin County to help access additional rescue resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
State Sen. Phillip Wheeler, whose district includes Martin County, said he is “deeply saddened” by news of the deadly collapse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“This incident is a stark reminder of the inherent risks in any job and the unexpected nature of tragedy,” he said in a statement. “We are prepared to assist those affected by loss or injury and their families and the local government in any way we can.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n