Man dies after being buried under hot asphalt in Mississippi

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) -- A 41-year-old man died Monday morning after being buried under hot asphalt while trying to repair his dump truck in Mississippi, authorities said.

The victim, identified as Darrell Sheriff, was a private contractor who was picking up a load of asphalt at AJ Materials in Jackson when his vehicle malfunctioned around 10:30 a.m.

Sheriff was underneath the truck working on a hydraulic line when the tailgate opened and asphalt fell on him, the Jackson Police Department said in a statement.

Police Chief Joseph Wade said some people at the scene tried to help him to no avail.

"It's very horrific. It's very tragic," Wade told reporters during a Monday afternoon briefing.

The police chief also offered his condolences to the victim's family.

"I talked to some of his family here on scene. They said he was a good man, a hardworking man, just trying to make a living, and that's just the synopsis of so many people here in the city of Jackson," Wade said. "Let's keep his family uplifted in prayer."

Wade said the investigation is ongoing, but Sheriff's death appears to be accidental.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.