CRANBOURNE EAST: Trench collapse kills man

UPDATE: A man has been killed in a trench collapse in Cranbourne East on Wednesday afternoon.

The man, believed to be in his early 20s, was laying sewerage pipes at a worksite in Tangemere Way when the accident happened shortly after 2pm.

There were at least nine Metropolitan Fire Brigade crews at the scene, as well as the CFA, police and paramedics.

Earlier, Ambulance Victoria spokesperson Shaun McComish said the man was “heavily trapped”. 

WorkSafe investigators are at the scene.

The death occurred in a new residential development, where hundreds of new brick houses have been built.

WorkSafe and other emergency services were still at the scene about 7.30pm on Wednesday.

About a dozen trucks and cars were there, including an MFB truck and paramedics.

Large piles of brown earth and gravel dotted the spot where the man was crushed. Excavators were digging near the same spot.

Equipment at the site had the name Sandridge Roads painted on the sides. The company was contacted for comment.

A WorkSafe employee said he expected his team to leave by about 8pm.

One neighbour, who lives across the road, said construction workers were building a road when the tragedy occurred.

Nathan, who did not disclose his last name, said he arrived home just after 4pm to see the street full of police and media.

“It’s pretty sad. I think everyone is in shock,” he said. 

This article first appeared in The Age