Two members of the demolition crew went missing Thursday when a shutter power plant collapsed in South Ohio, officials said.
The Killen Generating Station near Manchester in Adams County, Ohio, was shut down two years ago and was preparing for demolition before it collapsed around 9 a.m. Wednesday, officials said.
“The demolition crew is working here forever,” said Adams County Sheriff Kimmy Rogers. “It was in the process of exploding. These were demolition crews.”
In the hours following Wednesday’s crash, officials said five workers were missing. Three were found and taken to hospitals, but two were due by Thursday morning, officials said.
It was not immediately clear what caused the crash and an investigation is ongoing.
Residents of Adams County are still a long way from the 2018 shutdown of the coal-burning plant, which employs about 500 people and advocates much of the local economy.
“I understand the impact of coal (coal) on the environment, but I hope that if people can spend for millions and destructive communities, they can spend millions of dollars to put something in its place,” animated sheriff Rogers told NBC News on Thursday.
“He was the largest employer in the county. I’ve seen what’s going on for the kids in the community. The local pizza shops and the impact it has had.”
The shuttered plant is located on U.S. Highway 52, about 80 miles southeast of downtown Cincinnati and throws rocks off the Ohio River, separating the bookie state from Kentucky.
“Frann and I are still praying for the missing and for the safety of the search and rescue teams in Adams County,” Governor Mike Dewey said in a statement on behalf of himself and Ohio First Lady Frances Devin.
This is a developing story, please refresh here for updates.
Shamer Walters Contributed.
