CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — A man is dead after he got trapped in the track of heavy machinery in Clay County.
James Henderson, 61, of Williston was operating heavy machinery at Chemours Mining when he got trapped and was killed.
Clay County Fire Rescue said it was dispatched to the area at 1:44 p.m. The call triggered a large response, even a unit from Jacksonville, but additional units were quickly called off, CCFR said.
Henderson was an 18-year employee of Brown & Root, a company contracted by Chemours, according to Clay County Sheriff's Office.
Operations at the mine, which is located at 6700 C.R. 218 near U.S. 301, were ceased for the night, according to deputies.
Federal workplace authorities, which handle mine accidents, have been notified.
Chemours released the following statement:
"We are deeply saddened by the accident that occurred today at our mining facility in Starke, Florida. It is not immediately clear how this incident occurred. Safety is our highest priority at all our sites and offices around the world, and we have launched an investigation to learn everything we can as quickly as possible about how this individual lost his life. He was a contractor at our site, and was employed by Brown & Root. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and members of the community in which he lived."
Chemours also talked about what type of work Henderson was doing:
He was working within the facility on an operation in which minerals are extracted from the earth. He was operating a piece of large equipment, but he had apparently gotten down from the equipment, but we don't know what he was doing.
Our site employs about 100 people, and also employs a number of contractors who work at the site. We work with Brown & Root engage contract employees, who bring skills we need and give us a more flexible workforce.
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