Search efforts continue after coal prep plant collapsed in Eastern Kentucky

Christopher Leach
·2 min read
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Rescue operations for the remaining missing worker in a collapsed coal preparation plant in Martin County continued through the night Wednesday, according to Kentucky Emergency Management.

The most recent update from officials came around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, when they said the search would continue. With cold temperatures setting in across the state, a hard frost covered the area Wednesday night into Thursday morning. More information about the search is expected to be released at a 10 a.m. news conference, according to KYEM.

Two workers were trapped in the rubble of the 11-story coal sorting structure at the Pontiki Prep Plant in a sparsely populated area of steep hills near Middlefork Wolf Creek Road when it collapsed Tuesday. One worker was confirmed dead Wednesday and crews had yet to make contact with the other worker.

The workers were preparing the structure for demolition when it collapsed. The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet said the facility had been closed for years and reclamation was being done when the collapse occurred.

Martin County Judge-Executive Lon Lafferty said the workers who had been trapped in a “tremendous pile of rubble” were from Pike County. He said their family members had been notified of the incident.

Kentucky has a history of deadly disasters at coal facilities in state, including another incident in Martin County.

Kentucky politicians issue statements on incident

  • Sen. Mitch McConnell and Sen. Rand Paul, both Kentucky Republicans, said they were praying for the workers, their families and the first responders involved in the incident.

  • State Sen. Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville, also said he was praying and said the incident was “a stark reminder of the inherent risks in any job and the unexpected nature of tragedy.”

What to know about the collapse

Reporter Bill Estep contributed to this story.