Man killed by falling rock in mine shaft in Derry Township

DERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A man is dead after a rock fell on him in a mine shaft in Derry Township.

At around 6:45 p.m., officials said the coroner was called to the area of an asphalt plant in Derry Township.

In a report shared with Channel 11 at 9:42 p.m. on Tuesday, Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson clarified that the investigation happened at Heidelberg Materials in Derry Township at the 300 block of Quarry Road.

The investigation began at 3:40 p.m. when a large rock fell on a man working in a mine shaft, the coroner said.

That man has been identified as James F. Gershman, 61, of Indiana. He was pronounced dead at 5:47 p.m.

Westmoreland County dispatchers and Coroner Carson tell Channel 11 that Pennsylvania State Police Kiski barracks are investigating the incident and will release more details on what happened.

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