Officials have released the names of two workers who were trapped when a coal preparation plant collapsed earlier this week in eastern Kentucky.
Martin County Coroner Lon Lafferty identified the men as Billy Ray Daniels and Alvin Nees, news outlets reported. Daniels died amid rescue efforts at the scene, and Ness is believed to be trapped under the rubble. Men from neighboring Pike County did contractor work as part of the building’s demolition.
Lafferty said Thursday that the search for Ness is still a rescue operation.
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This photo shows Kentucky Emergency Management Director Jeremy Slinker speaking to members of the media about the ongoing rescue operation for a worker trapped inside a collapsed coal preparation plant in Martin County, south of Inez , Ky., on Nov. 1, 2023. Officials said one worker died. (Ryan C. Hermens/Lexington Herald-Leader via AP)
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Crews began removing layers of rubble and debris at the Martin Mine Preparation Plant in Martin County, where an abandoned 11-story building collapsed Tuesday night while demolition work was underway. Officials briefly contacted Daniels, but announced Wednesday that he died amid rescue efforts. Authorities said Thursday they had not had any contact with the second worker since the building collapsed around 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Inez, a town of about 500 people.
“We have not given up hope,” Lafferty said at a news conference with reporters on Thursday.
Lafferty said a family member of the deceased was at the scene before he died and was able to speak with him. Crews have located his remains, but have not yet been able to remove them.
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Crews searched under layers of steel and concrete with search dogs and listening devices Wednesday and Thursday, a line of emergency vehicles surrounding the wreckage of the once 11-story building, now level. In the second full day of rescue efforts, officials are removing the debris into smaller piles for the search, Lafferty said.
Several state agencies have launched investigations into the collapse and possible causes, including the Kentucky State Police.
The Kentucky Division of Occupational Safety and Health Compliance said one of its officials was on the scene and had begun an inspection with Lexington Coal Company LLC, which contracted Skeens Enterprises LLC for demolition and salvage work. The department said the investigation could take up to six months to complete.
