2nd worker trapped under collapsed coal plant has died, officials say

Officials have released the names of two men involved in a deadly building collapse two days ago in rural Martin County, Kentucky.
Published: Nov. 3, 2023 at 12:01 PM EDT|Updated: Nov. 4, 2023 at 12:08 AM EDT
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MARTIN COUNTY, Ky. (WSAZ/Gray News) - Both men involved in a deadly collapse at an idled 11-story coal processing plant in Martin County, Kentucky, have been confirmed dead.

During a news conference late Thursday afternoon, Martin County Judge-Executive Lon Lafferty said both of the men were located in the wreckage.

The body of Alvin Nees was recovered, and crews hoped to retrieve Billy Ray “Bo” Daniels late Friday night.

“We knew going in this was a very, very difficult situation,” Lafferty said. “This is not the outcome we had hoped for.”

Lafferty said the bodies of both men will be taken to the medical examiner’s office in Frankfort.

Both men, from neighboring Pike County, were doing contracting work as part of demolition of the idled coal processing plant when the structure collapsed.

State officials said they plan to investigate the cause of the collapse.