KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) – A person was killed in a workplace incident at a Knoxville cement plant over the weekend, according to a company spokesperson.

A Knoxville Police Department spokesperson said the person has been identified as 21-year-old Thomas Mitchell of Blaine, Tennessee.

Officers responded to the Cemex cement plant just off Rutledge Pike at around 7:45 a.m. Saturday, November 5 after report from employees that the victim’s body was found underneath a large amount of coal.

The KPD spokesperson said it appeared a large pile of coal collapsed on Mitchell, who was a Cemex employee. The body was recovered from the pile of coal after several hours of work by Knoxville Fire Department personnel.

“We are deeply saddened to confirm there was a fatal accident involving an employee at our Knoxville cement plant on Saturday, November 5. Our condolences go out to his family and all who are impacted by this tragic loss. The accident investigation continues and we are cooperating fully with the authorities.”

Megan Burks, CEMEX USA Communications

“All signs indicate that the death was the result of a tragic industrial accident,” KPD spokesperson Scott Erland said.

The Cemex Knoxville Plant is located at 3212 Cement Plant Rd off of Rutledge Pike. Cemex USA is a multinational building material company headquartered in Houston, Texas.