US Mine Safety and Health Administration spokesperson Amy Louviere told ILN that the victim, identified by local media as 49-year-old Richard Yonts, was working in the excavator near the highwall at Fairbanks Coal’s No. 4 surface operation in Wise County before 8am Wednesday when it fell.

“The mine operator reached the victim and reported he had no pulse,” she said.

Louviere also confirmed the individual’s body could not be immediately removed because of the highwall instability near his excavator.

“The operator prepared and implemented an action plan to remove the victim from the excavator after clearing the unstable highwall material and removing the excavator away from the highwall,” she said.

The worker’s body was removed at about 11.30am and taken from the scene by ambulance.

Federal investigators, currently on the scene examining the incident, reported the area around the highwall as wet and unstable, which was attributed to heavy rains in the area.

According to MSHA data, Fairbanks No. 4 and Fairbanks Coal are controlled by Wesley Burke and produces bituminous coal.