Backhoe operator dies after being buried while digging....

[kebo]

Tragic accident while operating a backhoe.

Worker apparently buried alive on North Charleston job site - Local News - Charleston, SC | NBC News

North Charleston police are investigating a bizarre accident where a worker was apparently buried alive.
Around 10:00 Saturday morning on Harley Street, officials say 53-year-old Kenneth Drayton of Hollywood fell into a hole at a construction site.
"Initial investigation indicates the victim was on a backhoe moving dirt when he somehow fell into the hole and the dirt gave way covering the victim. A co-worker noticed the victim was missing and began to search for him when he noticed the hole covered with dirt.The victim was located beneath the dirt deceased," North Charleston Police spokesman Spencer Pryor said.
The North Charleston Fire Department and Charleston County Rescue responded to the scene with police.
According to the coroners office, his officials cause of death and all other details of this case are still under investigation.

 

[jerrybob]

Tragic story....terrible accident. Wonder how he fell out of backhoe?

 

[dave1949]

It's not a bizarre accident, it is a failure to use trench reinforcing plates.

 

[Western]

It's not a bizarre accident, it is a failure to use trench reinforcing plates.

Dave I also think it is "Bizarre". Article gives limited information, but who know what safety precautions they where using, the plate may not have been able to have been deployed at that stage of the "dig". It's odd that a man is sitting 5' in the air and then is "underground".. And in a way that was not evident or obvious to co-workers at 1st.

 

[amigauser]

No seatbelt?

 

[dave1949]

Dave I also think it is "Bizarre". Article gives limited information, but who know what safety precautions they where using, the plate may not have been able to have been deployed at that stage of the "dig". It's odd that a man is sitting 5' in the air and then is "underground".. And in a way that was not evident or obvious to co-workers at 1st.

Could be. It's possible he needed to take a leak, or while digging he felt/heard something strange that needed to be eyeballed.

 

[Western]

Could be. It's possible he needed to take a leak, or while digging he felt/heard something strange that needed to be eyeballed.

I agree, Could have even been a medical condition, stroke, heart attack??
If he was at his station though, he should have been buckled in.

Really slim information though. Sad event though, 53 years young.

 

[bcp]

A little more here:

Worker buried alive at N. Charleston construction site - Live5News.com | Charleston, SC | News, Weather, Sports

Bruce

 

[Western]

""The co-worker said he never saw how Drayton ended up in the hole. Police said the co-worker was the only person to witness the incident."" HUH??


Sounds a bit "fishy" to me. Plates where in the hole? then the 2nd guy starts filling the hole...and didn't look?? planning on leaving the plates in there?? hmm

 

[dave1949]

Yeah, that's either very poor reporting or a very confused story.