At least one man was killed and one was trapped while working inside a shuttered coal preparation plant that collapsed in rural eastern Kentucky, officials said Wednesday.
Workers had been removing machinery and preparing the Martin Mine Prep Plant in Martin County for demolition when the 11-story structure gave way at about 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, trapping the two men, officials said.
“Kentucky, we have some tough news out of Martin County to share. At least one of the workers trapped inside the collapsed coal preparation plant has died,” Gov. Andy Beshear said in a statement posted on social media Wednesday.
Earlier on Wednesday, Beshear declared a state of emergency but told Kentuckians to brace for a possible tragic outcome in Martin County, which borders West Virginia about 65 miles south of Huntington.
“Kentucky, keep praying — but the scene is bad and we should be prepared for tough news out of Martin County,” he said.
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