A Mississippi man has died after being “buried under hot asphalt” in what police called a “tragic” accident.

Jackson Police Department (JPD) officers were called to AJ Materials, located in the 1000 block of E. McDowell Road, on Monday, Nov. 4, around 10:30 a.m. local time, Chief Joseph Wade said in a news conference. press shared at Facebook.

“Upon arrival, they located an individual who had been buried under hot asphalt,” Wade told reporters of the man, believed to be a private contractor.

“It appeared to be some kind of malfunction with the dump truck, the vehicle he was there with to pick up asphalt,” the police chief explained, adding that while the man tried to “repair” the vehicle, it “discharged” hot material. on him”.

Conformable Associated Press the man was identified as Darrell Sheriff. He was 41 years old.

Calling the incident “horrific” and “tragic,” Wade said at the news conference that his “heart goes out to his family.”

He told reporters he spoke to several family members at the scene, who said the contractor was “a good man, a hard-working man.”

“Such a horrible, horrible situation that happened and happened here this morning,” Wade said, sharing that the man’s family members were “hurt” and “traumatized and rightfully so.”

The police chief confirmed an investigation was ongoing but added it “appears to be an accidental death at this time”.

“There were some individuals on the scene who tried to help him,” Wade recalled on the conference call. “They said he tried to fight through those wounds, but they were too big for him to survive.”

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“With the holidays coming up, to lose this gentleman who was here just trying to make a living,” the officer told reporters. “They are indeed hurting, but we will be here to support them and lift them up in prayer.”

When asked what it was like working on such an incident, Wade said: “It was awful. It was awful and it’s something you don’t want to see.”

“Seeing him was one thing, but actually talking to the family members and their hurt, their pain, their shock…this morning, people just go to work, they don’t want to hear about a family member who has lost his life, as they told me, simply trying to make a living,” he added.

The Jackson Police Department did not immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.