A Galwayman was killed in an horrific accident in America last weekend when a 10-foot-deep trench he was digging collapsed on him, burying him under a mountain of soil.
Michael Faherty, 47, from the Tully area of North Connemara, was killed in the accident at a home in Cedar Creek in Lowell, Indiana.
He and a colleague were digging a trench that would pitch water from the lowest point in the yard away from the house's sump pump.
Mr Faherty's co-worker was able to get out of the trench and ran for the backhoe to dig out Faherty, but he was unsuccessful, Lake County Police Chief Marco Kuyachich said.
Fire and rescue officials had to brace the walls of the 10-foot-deep trench before they started digging for the man, and it took more than four hours to get Mr Faherty out of the trench.
The Indiana Occupational Health and Safety Administrator sent investigators to the scene and IOSHA spokesman Sean Keefer said the company that the men worked for did not have any previous red flags with IOSHA.
The investigation could take weeks or months, Mr Keefer said.
Mr Keefer added that digging trenches is highly regulated -- in terms of the dimensions, making sure there is no potential for flooding, and erecting a barrier so tools cannot be thrown down the trench.
Mr Faherty is a brother of Judge Mary Faherty, who has been presiding at the planning tribunals at Dublin Castle.
