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First responders were dispatched to the Hoist Chemical Lime Plant in Ripplemead on Monday, June 20, where there was a report of an incident inside the mine in Giles County, authorities said.
Upon arrival, members of the Giles County Sheriff’s Office were informed that an excavator had been engulfed by materials inside the mine during the cave-in, leaving one person trapped inside the cab of the equipment, a spokesperson for the agency said.
First responders were able to enter the mine and assisted workers with extricating the equipment operator out of the cab of the equipment, which had been knocked on its side and fully immersed during the cave-in.
The equipment operator was found to be dead at the scene of the cave-in, according to the Giles County Sheriff’s Office. He was extricated from the mine without further incident.
A second employee sustained minor lime chemical burns from attempting a rescue of the equipment operator. The employee was treated and released by paramedics at the scene.
Both were identified as employees of Gillmann Services, Inc., a contractor that is operating at the facility. No other injuries were reported.
Investigators have not released the names of either worker. Officials said that the mine will remain shut down during the investigation into the fatal incident.
Personnel from these agencies responded to the cave-in:
- Giles Sheriff's Office;
- Pembroke Fire Department;
- Giles Rescue Squad;
- Carilion EMS;
- Newport Rescue Squad;
- Celco Emergency Response Team.
This is a developing story. Check Daily Voice for updates.
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