Coroner IDs construction worker killed in Warren Co. trench collapse

MORROW - A construction worker was killed Thursday when a trench collapsed in Morrow, according to Warren County officials.

The coroner said the victim is 25-year-old Zachary Hess of Mason.

The incident began around noon at 5559 Anne Marie Dr.ive, south of East Pike Street. Multiple fire agencies responded.

Fire officials say the construction worker was buried up to his head when a 30-foot trench, next to a new home foundation, collapsed. Just before 3 p.m., officials said the attempt to save the worker had become a recovery effort.

"Initially we had a little bit of sight of the victim there in a short time the hole continued to fall in more and actually completely buried the victim even more. ... So it's a very loose and dangerous situation there and that's why it's a professional recovery operation," Lt. John Faine said.

The sheriff's office said he worked with JK Excavating.

Chief Investigator Doyle Burke described the complications crews faced as they attempted to free Hess' body.

"It's a process that you think you're there and then all of the sudden something else collapses, and I hate to use the word collapse ... but fills in around. So, you have to start excavating again to try to safely get this young man out. So, we're hoping that we can have him to take him up to the crime lab for a full medical exam shortly," he said.

 https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2017/12/28/warren-county-trench-rescue-becomes-recovery-effort-officials-say/988248001/