A Clearwater-area man was killed Saturday after a gravel truck he was working under fell on top of him, pinning him underneath. The sheriff's department identifies the man as 50 year-old James L. Thomas.

The accident took place shortly after 4:00 Saturday afternoon northeast of Viola at K-42 and 95th Street South.

Authorities say Thomas was with family and friends who were hauling rock shale to a home nearby when the truck blew a tire.

The others left the scene while Thomas stayed back to change the tire. They say, at some point, the truck became unsteady and slipped off a jack and pinned him. It was about 30 minutes before he was found.

Sheriff Sergeant Scott Plummer says Thomas' sons used the jacks to get the truck off of him before emergency crews got to the scene.

Thomas was pronounced dead at the scene.