A Piopio father of three died after being crushed when a trench collapsed in TeKuiti yesterday.
McIndoe Group father Mark Williams was digging a trench for a sewage line with his colleagues on Williams St, when the side of the trench suddenly gave way, collapsing on top of him (about 5 pm). He was buried chest-deep in dirt. While waiting for emergency services to arrive, his colleagues managed to free him and began performing CPR.
Fire fighters and later a St Johns Ambulance crew, also tried in vain to revive Mr Williams.
McIndoe Group director Danny McIndoe said staff who were to meet this morning, were struggling to cope with the incident.
“We will convene today. It’s a day for Mark. He was a very good worker and always gave 100 percent. He was a very happy sort of man, always bubbly and willing to help.
Labour Department officials were to visit the site today.
109 concrete box culvert sections 4.1m wide x 2.6m high at depths up to 6m are being laid to divert the Freeman's Bay SW culvert away from the line of the new Tunnel.
