MARG PLUMBING AND HEATING

Home owner killed when buried in trench collapse

On May 29, 1992, Homeowner #1 had hired Marg Plumbing & Heating to dig a 230 ft trench on his property to install a water and sewer line for a new house. One op erator was digging this 7 to 8 ft deep trench and Homeowner #1 was assisting by backfilling with a Case skid loader. Although the trench was vertical, no slopin g, shoring, or other protective system was used. Around 10:30 a.m., the operator noticed that a portion of the trench near the roadway was collapsing. Hearing a moaning or groaning noise and not knowing where Homeowner #1 was at that time, he moved a large chunk of earth with the backhoe and saw the rear of the homeown er's head. He had been buried in an upright position. The operator jumped into t he trench and dug down to Homeowner #1's chest with a shovel. The rescue squad a rrived and continued digging. Upon removal from the trench, the homeowner's puls e was restored and he was flown by helicopter to LaCrosse Lutheran Hospital, whe re he died the next day.