PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN Oldcastle Coastal plant, where the fatal accident took place April 13.

An investigation is underway by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office concerning the cause of an accident after an employee of the Oldcastle Coastal plant fell into a cement mixer on Wednesday, April 13.

He was identified as Zavarius Philius Jones, 23, of Fort Myers.

Officials said it took close to eight hours to recover the body.

Capt. Ralph Kentron of the Lehigh Acres Fire District said a call came to the station at 5 a.m. On scene were personnel trying to rescue the man.

Later when it was determined that Jones was deceased, and another call was received at 11:30 a.m. to help extract the body.

Kentron said the body was finally brought out of the mixer at around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.

“My plan B was to notify the Florida Urban Search and Rescue team. When they arrived on the scene, the victim had just been brought out. The cement mixing machine is located inside the building complex at 421 Leonard Blvd. South,” Kentron said.

He was not able to provide any more information because the investigation was initiated.

Jones usually worked from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m., according to his family.

Several firefighters from Lehigh joined the effort to recover the body. Others who helped in the effort included Estero Fire District, Iona-McGregor Fire District, South Trail Fire District, and Lee County EMS.

Many of those who had heard of the death of Jones were shocked.

Rae Nicely, executive director of Lehigh Social Services, said the news was horrible.

“I was shocked. What a shame to hear of something like this in Lehigh. It’s absolutely horrible,” Nicely said.

Oldcastle Coastal is a manufacturer of pavers and bricks and other cement items. It has about a dozen plants throughout Florida.

According to reports, Jones lived with Vickie and Andre Jones of Fort Myers. They are his adoptive parents and have been raising him since he was 11.

They operate a barbecue business and Zavarius often worked with the family business.

Vickie Jones said that she learned of the incident at around 6 a.m. Wednesday when a co-worker of her son notified them that Zavarius has died at work.

Kentron said his Plan B to call the Florida Urban Search & Rescue Task Force for help was because they are experts and provide specialized rescue efforts for victims caught up in tight spaces and unusual situations.

“Just as they arrived, the body had been removed. I went along with the second crew that was called to the scene at 11:30 a.m.” Kentron said.