BUCKHANNON – The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal workplace accident that happened at Appalachian Forest Products on Tuesday afternoon.

According to a press release posted on the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, deputies responded to a report of an industrial accident at the facility at approximately 3 p.m.

The press release states that emergency personnel located Michael D. Martin, 73, of Mannington upon arrival and that he had sustained fatal injuries as a result of the incident.

Martin was pronounced deceased at the scene and circumstances surrounding the accident remain under investigation, according to the release. The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office extends its condolences to the family, friends and coworkers of Martin.

According to the release, the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office is working with appropriate workplace safety and regulatory agencies to determine the events that led to the incident.

Appalachian Forest Product, which is located on Mud Lick Road, operates as AFP Logs and Lumber. AFP is one of the region’s largest hardwood producers and was founded in the late 1980s in Buckhannon. The company, which processes hardwood logs and lumber at a complex that includes two sawmills, has been in the log business for over 30 years.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time.