The fatality victim in a rock quarry accident in the 2300 block of Poland Road in Geary County on Wednesday has been identified as Stephen Hetzler, 63, Manhattan.

The information was released by the Geary County Sheriff Department.

The release stated Geary County Sheriff’s deputies, Geary County Emergency Management, and paramedics were dispatched to the scene regarding a subject hit by a rock and knocked unconscious. Upon arrival, deputies and fire personnel found the victim unresponsive. Hetzler was pronounced dead by fire personnel on scene.

The investigation revealed Hetzler was working for a local company and was utilizing explosives to detonate rocks in the area. He was standing too close to the detonation area and was struck by one large limestone rock, and possibly several other smaller rocks as a result of the detonation. Witnesses reported the incident occurred between 1:50 and 2 p.m.

The preliminary investigation is ruling this as a work related accident, but the incident is still under investigation by the Geary County Sheriff’s Department, U.S. Department of Labor Division of Mine Safety and Health Administration, and the Kansas State Fire Marshal.