US Mine Safety and Health Administration officials said Steelyn Gary Kanouff, 28 , was troubleshooting a strut on a Caterpillar 773E rock truck at Amerikohl Mining’s Amerikohl Strips complex in DuBois when the 7am incident occurred.

“The … victim was found lying between the right front tire and the bottom of the fender,” investigators said in the report, noting he was pronounced dead at the scene by the Indiana County chief deputy coroner.

The worker, who had just over seven years of experience – all at the Amerikohl operation – was one of just eight employees on payroll at the small bituminous mine.

An autopsy is being performed, MSHA said, in nearby Johnstown. No further details on that process were available Thursday.

Amerikohl is controlled by John Stilley, according to federal data, with the company’s main office address in Butler, Butler County.

According to federal performance statistics, the mine produced about 297,000 tons last year with 67,000 man hours worked. Its national fatal incidence rate was 0.0086 and non-fatal days lost rate was 0.98.

It has received just one 104(a) violation to date in 2013, and had zero in 2012.