Miner Presumed Dead After Underwater Florida Mine Collapse

BUSHNELL, Fla. -- A man is trapped underwater and feared dead after the ground gave way at a central Florida limerock mine.

Authorities say the mine is located in Bushnell, about 50 miles west of Orlando.

Sumter County Fire Rescue spokeswoman Andrea Carlson says blasting was under way at Mazak Mine around noon Thursday when the ground collapsed below the worker. He fell into a pit filled with water.

The miner has not been identified but efforts to find him are continuing.

A phone number listed for Mazak Properties was not in service. A phone message left for the owners of the company was not immediately returned.

Carlson says limerock mining is common in the area.