Kentucky governor declares state of emergency after workers trapped, one killed in coal plant

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) declared a state of emergency Wednesday in Martin County after two workers became trapped in a coal plant when it collapsed the previous night, killing one of them. 

Kentucky Emergency Management said in a press release that the 11-story coal sorting structure in Martin County collapsed about 6:30 p.m., leaving two workers trapped under multiple floors of concrete and steel. Beshear confirmed Wednesday morning that one of the workers trapped in the collapse died, but he did not identify the individual.

Before he confirmed the death of at least one of the workers, the governor announced he declared a state of emergency in the county to expedite state resources. 

“I have signed an Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency in Martin County following the collapse of a coal preparation plant. Two workers are trapped inside and a number of teams are working to rescue these individuals. The Order mobilizes state resources to help,” he said in a statement.

“Kentucky, keep praying — but the scene is bad and we should be prepared for tough news out of Martin County,” he added before he announced the fatality.

Martin County Sheriff John Kirk said that the coal preparation plant had been “out of commission” for years, local station WSAZ reported. He said that the two workers were at the bottom floor when it collapsed.

He also reportedly warned the rescue mission could take days.

“You kind of feel helpless that you can’t do more, that you can’t for it faster, but this is not a fast process. It’s a very slow process in order to try to keep everybody safe. This is a rescue mission,” he said.