KERMIT, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- One person has been killed in a construction accident inside a Norfolk & Southern Railroad tunnel near the Wayne-Mingo County Line.

The accident was reported inside Tunnel #4 in Stepptown around 5:15 a.m. Thursday morning.

Members of the Kermit Volunteer Fire Department tell WSAZ.com that the victim was operating an excavator and working on the tunnel’s roof when a portion of the roof collapsed.

It took rescuers nearly two hours to reach the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The man’s name has not been released at this time.

Firefighters tell WSAZ.com that there is a 40 to 100 foot hole in the tunnel’s roof. They also say that 50-60 tons of concrete and rock fell in the collapse.

No other workers in the tunnel were hurt.

Firefighters say the man worked for Johnson Western Gunite Construction, a private contractor.

Norfolk Southern spokesman Robin Chapman says at least 19 freight trains were parked in Roanoke, Va., Portsmouth, Ohio, and other rail yards after the Thursday morning accident.

Two others were rerouted after an excavator operator was crushed
by tons of falling rock earlier in the day. Crews were working to raise the tunnel's roof to accommodate double-stacked rail cars.

Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for updated information.