EL MIRAGE, Ariz. — A tragic accident at the BNSF Automotive Distribution Center claimed the life of a contract worker Thursday morning after a heavy metal plate fell on him during a construction-related task.

El Mirage police say the incident occurred just after 9 a.m. near U.S. 60 and Thompson Ranch Road. Responders arrived to find the man trapped beneath the massive plate, which was "later determined to weigh in excess of a thousand pounds."

Despite efforts by emergency personnel, the worker was unresponsive and pronounced dead by fire crews at the scene. His name has not yet been released pending notification of family.

According to police, the man was not a direct BNSF employee but a contracted worker performing duties on the property. What caused the plate to dislodge and fall remains unclear. “The investigation remains ongoing,” officials confirmed.

The Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH), the state agency responsible for worker safety, said it has been notified of the incident. Officials are currently reviewing whether the case falls under state or federal jurisdiction for workplace oversight.

Workplace accidents involving heavy machinery and equipment continue to pose major safety challenges in the construction and logistics sectors. According to federal labor statistics, struck-by incidents — when workers are hit by falling or moving objects — are among the leading causes of fatalities in construction nationwide.

Local officials emphasized that Thursday’s fatality underscores the need for strict adherence to safety protocols when handling equipment weighing thousands of pounds.

The BNSF Automotive Distribution Center, a major hub for rail and vehicle shipments in the region, has not yet released a public statement regarding the accident.

As investigators work to determine the cause, coworkers and community members are left mourning the sudden loss of life on the job.

Originally reported by ABC 15 Staff in ABC 15 News.