Coal Fatality

Coal Fatality

Georgetown Co. coroner confirms bulldozer operator dies after coal mound collapse

Crews are working to find a bulldozer operator who fell into a coal pile Thursday night after an accident. By Teagan Brown and WMBF News Staff=Published: May. 24, 2024 at 6:08 AM CDT|Updated: 8 hours ago

GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) – The Georgetown County coroner has confirmed crews have found the body of a man who was caught under a coal mound after it collapsed Thursday evening.

Georgetown County Emergency Management was called out just after 8 p.m. on Thursday to the Santee Cooper Winyah Generating Station for the operator. Family members have since confirmed to WMBF News that the operator’s name is Cody Jordan.

After an overnight search, Georgetown County Emergency Services Director Brandon Ellis said Santee Cooper’s emergency response team took over the primary search. Later Friday, Ellis told WMBF News that a new group of around 20 searchers was preparing to go out.

One rotation Thursday night contained around 50 people from both Myrtle Beach and Georgetown. Ellis added that first responders are in rescue mode until told otherwise.

Coroner Chase Ridgeway said Jordan died from his injuries after the ground collapsed under the coal mound causing the bulldozer he was operating to fall through.

Jordan worked for EMCOR, a contractor Santee Cooper has used for years. Santee Cooper said they would conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.

An autopsy is scheduled as MUSC for Tuesday.