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'True angels' | Family thanks trauma surgeons for their work on the scene after Kentucky coal plant collapse

An around-the-clock operation at the Martin Mine Prep Plant lasted days after two men were trapped underneath piles of rubble.

INEZ, Kentucky — Two families are mourning after an 11-story coal production plant in eastern Kentucky collapsed on two inspectors earlier this week.

The plant is located near Middlefork Wolfe Creek Road in Martin County, Kentucky. That’s near the West Virginia state line. The two workers were at the facility, looking it over before a planned demolition.

Within hours of the collapse, officials say they found one of the men, who has since been identified by the Martin County Judge Executive as Billy Daniels.

Daniels’ family said when first responders found him, he was pinned under concrete and metal beams. Two trauma surgeons from Pikeville Medical Center, were called to the scene, according to family.

Credit: Courtesy of the Daniels Family
Billy Daniels, pictured with members of his family.

A family member said the trauma surgeons are "true angels." 

"They put their lives on the line to try and save my stepdad,” they said. Family told WHAS11 the surgeons agreed to work on Daniels, knowing the structure was unstable and could collapse more at any moment.

“They could have easily refused but they done everything they could to get to him in hopes to try to save him and get him out”, a family member said.

Meanwhile, another family held out hope for days.

Credit: Courtesy of the Nees Family
Alvin Nees.

Markie Nees has identified her dad, Alvin Douglas Nees, as the other worker who was trapped in the building collapse. She said first responders told them there is a chance they will find him alive and it is still considered a rescue mission for that reason.

Hours after Markie spoke to WHAS11 Friday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced her father was also found dead.

Markie Nees described her dad as a model train enthusiast, who loved his family. That family said they have not been allowed to visit the scene but are getting updates from first responders. 

According to first responders, both men were on the bottom floor of the building when it collapsed.

Since Wednesday morning, dozens of highly skilled rescue teams from across the state have been taking shifts on the site, working around the clock to get to the workers, including Jefferson County’s Urban Rescue Team.

   

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