CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Tennessee's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating a deadly trench collapse that happened Thursday in Cleveland.
The collapse claimed the life of a worker at Dillard Construction who was around 9 feet below the surface. Coworkers tried to rescue the man but were unable to. The rescue operation moved into a recovery phase once first responders determined the victim was no longer alive.
TOSHA explained to NBC affiliate Local 3 News that an investigator was sent to the site to begin the inquiry that will determine the circumstances that led to the worker’s death.
Typically, the site is surveyed, company records are examined and interviews are conducted. The investigation into a fatality can take as long as six months to complete.
The construction worker was determined to be dead mid-rescue. The Cleveland Assistant Fire Chief called it a "rare incident." Eighteen agencies responded to the scene Thursday afternoon.
Fellow workers tried to rescue the victim, but the ground was unstable. The victim's brother was notified in Mexico. Extra support was brought in to keep emergency response teams hydrated and fed.