Worker dies in trench collapse

LOWELL, Ind. – Northern Indiana police said a man helping dig a trench for a home drainage project died when the 10-foot-deep trench collapsed onto him.

Michael Faherty, 47, was pronounced dead Friday afternoon at a home in Lake County’s Cedar Creek township. The Lake County Coroners Office ruled his death accidental.

Lake County police said Faherty and a co-worker were hired to dig a trench designed to pitch water from the lowest point in a yard away from a home’s sump pump.

Shortly after noon, the trench collapsed, burying Faherty. His co-workers escaped and tried unsuccessfully to dig Faherty out with a backhoe. Fire and rescue officials dug Faherty’s body from the trench about five hours later.