Indiana Man Killed in Well Construction Collapse

It took more than 10 hours to recover the body of 56-year-old Douglas Scott Abney, who died in a collapsed trench he and his son had been digging Jan. 6, Fox 59 reported. The accident occurred at 4900 W. 225 N. in Bargersville, Indiana. The police received a call reporting a person trapped in a construction ditch at 12:10 p.m. According to BargersvilleFire Chief Eric Funkhouser, the father-and-son team were digging a 15-foot trench to work on a residential well. The structure collapsed with the man inside, and the channel quickly filled with water. Initial rescue efforts by Abney’s son and bystanders who offered help proved futile as the trench continued to collapse. The Indianapolis Fire Department was called in to help with the rescue, but the scene was deemed too dangerous to enter. The effort soon became a recovery, however, when the man was declared deceased as crews continued to attempt to recover his body.

Officials are still investigating the incident, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the Indiana Department of Labor. The roadway was closed or restricted during the recovery, which concluded at 10:44 p.m., but crews remained securing the site.

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