Emergency responders worked for more than five hours Wednesday afternoon removing the body of a man killed in a forklift accident at Little River Marina.

The man, identified as 21-year-old Josh Roberts of Woodstock, was crushed by the forklift, according to the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office.

At about 11:19 a.m., deputies and Cherokee Fire and Emergency Services personnel were dispatched to the area regarding a work-related death.

Sheriff Roger Garrison, who arrived on the scene near Bells Ferry Road soon after the accident took place, said three or four marina employees were repairing a large forklift Wednesday morning. In the process of fixing the machine, a portion of the lift fell and crushed Roberts, Garrison said.

“The forklift in question was inoperable,” Garrison said. “The forks were raised to the highest level by another forklift and somehow the lift on the one the victim was on fell and trapped and crushed the victim.”

Tim Cavender, spokesman for Cherokee Fire, said a section, either the mast or upright, of the 1973-model forklift broke loose.

“Cherokee County firefighters arrived on the scene minutes after the accident occurred and pronounced him dead at the scene,” Cavender said, adding the operation was assisted by Mauldin’s Body Shop to secure and stabilize the forklift so the body could be removed.

Garrison said the extrication was “very challenging” and Roberts’ body was not removed until after 4 p.m. Wednesday.

“They did a hard job,” Garrison said of the responding deputies and emergency services personnel. “It was a very complex, dangerous situation.”

Baker said although no foul play is suspected, Cherokee Sheriff’s detectives are investigating the incident. Officials with Occupational Safety and Health Administration are also investigating the incident, he added.