A worker died this 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 other people 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’s Hospital and Medical Center, 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 received minor injuries to the lower part of his body.
The trench, that was 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 are still on site this afternoon, attempting to stabilize the dirt. The investigation is ongoing.
Jordan Steffen: 303-954-1794 or jsteffen@denverpost.com
