CALERA – A Calera man was killed as the result of an accident at the Argos cement plant that occurred on Wednesday, Sept. 20.

According to the Shelby County Coroner’s Office, 28-year-old Zakery Schmidt, an Argos employee, was doing maintenance on a silo onsite when a clump of dirt from the silo fell on him on Sept. 20.

Shelby Coroner Lina Evans said Schmidt had sustained head trauma and a broken femur as the result of the accident. According to Evans, Schmidt was responsive and communicative with first responders when they arrived on the scene, and was complaining of leg pain. Evans said Schmidt was not initially showing any signs of head trauma.

Schmidt was transported to UAB Hospital, where he died as the result of the head trauma on Thursday, Sept. 21, Evans said.

The incident is currently being investigated by the Mine Safety and Health Administration. A representative from Argos USA LLC in Alpharetta, Georgia released the statement that they plan to fully cooperate with the investigation.

“We are obviously heartbroken and our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Schmidt’s family, friends and co-workers,” the statement read.