Contract worker killed at Suncor oilsands plant near Fort McMurray

A contract workerwas killed Friday at a Suncor oilsandsmine nearFort McMurray, the company says.

The worker was pronounced deadon the scene.

SnehSeetal, a spokesperson forSuncor, confirmed the fatality to CBC News Friday.

"We have shutdown the immediate area where the incidentoccurred,"Seetalsaid. "First and foremost we are putting the safety of people front and centre and we are encouraging folks to access our emergency family assistance program."

RCMP were calledto the work site at about 9:40 a.m. Fridayto assist emergency services at the SuncorMillennium mine where aman died whenhe was buried while performing trenching work.

The worker, believed to be in his 30s, was employed by the Calgary-based construction company Aecon Mining, Seetal said.

The Alberta Energy Regulator was notified about the incident. Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is investigating.

Police have not released any furtherinformation.

AeconCEOJohn Beck said the project it was working on has been put on hold and it is co-operating with OHS.

"We will also undertake a thorough investigation into the matter," Beck said in an email."Our sympathies and prayers are with our employee's family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time."