A person doing utility work was buried when a trench collapsed and let gravel loose near Hamilton Park on Fort Wayne’s near-northwest side.
First responders and medics were called around 2 p.m. to the area of Franklin Avenue and Huffman Street.
A crew was doing utility work in a trench and the person became buried in about 10 feet of loose gravel, according to Fire Department spokesman Adam O’Connor. Firefighters and city sewer workers worked with vacuum trucks to remove dirt and gravel from the trench.
When they finally reached the worker, there were no vital signs, however, fire officials said.
Around 3:45 p.m., officials confirmed the person had died.
The Allen County Coroner’s Office on Wednesday identified the victim as 50-year-old Michael Ramos of Fort Wayne. An autopsy found Ramos died of is asphyxia due to chest compression and his death was ruled an accident.
It’s not clear yet why the trench collapsed. The fire department said the cause of the accident is still under investigation.