SEATTLE - A male longshore worker was killed while helping load and secure containers onto a rail car at Terminal 5 at the Port of Seattle, police said.

Port of Seattle police spokesman Mick Shultz said the worker was latching down the containers when the equipment used to pick up the containers called a "top-pick" ran him over around 8 p.m. on Thursday.

Officials said a driver was operating the top-pick at the time. It is not known whether that driver is at fault.

The killed worker's identity has not been released.

The Seattle Fire Department responded to the scene of the accident. The Port of Seattle Police Department is investigating.

No other details were immediately available.