SEATTLE -- A 42-year-old Washington State Department of Transportation worker died Thursday when he was hit by a falling tree limb while trying to clear a slide.

Neal Richards was working to clear a slide around 10:30 a.m. on US-101 near Indian Hill, west of Port Angeles, DOT said. He worked at WSDOT for 11 years.

"I'm deeply saddened at the loss of a part of our WSDOT family. Neal's death is a terrible tragedy, which affects us all. Neal was a loyal employee who was truly dedicated to our transportation system. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and co-workers," said Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond.

Richards is survived by his wife and two children, 10 and 12.