A worker died Friday afternoon after a trench collapsed and buried him under about 10 feet of dirt.
At 3:06 p.m., crews were called to a home at 14904 W. Evans Place in Lakewood, after a report of a collapsed trench, said Mike Murphy, deputy chief of operations for West Metro Fire Rescue.
When crews arrived at the house, which is under construction in the Solterra development, they found co-workers and others trying to dig the man out.
It took about 15 minutes to remove the man from beneath the earth. He was taken to St. Anthony Hospital, where he later was pronounced dead.
His name has not been released, but he appeared to be in his 40s, Murphy said.
A second man was partially buried and suffered minor injuries to the lower part of his body.
The trench, being dug as part of a patio foundation, was about 4 feet deep, with a 10-foot wall on one side.
The wall, which had no supports in place, collapsed on the man, who was in the hole.
Crews stayed on the scene through the afternoon, attempting to stabilize the dirt.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will join in investigating the workplace death.
Jordan Steffen: 303-954-1794 or jsteffen@denverpost.com
