FRANKFORT, Ky. (WHAS11) -- The Kentucky Labor Cabinet has opened an investigation into a deadly construction accident in southern Jefferson County that claimed the life of a teenage worker.
Two men were installing a sewer line Thursday afternoon, June 11, in the 13000 block of Dixie Highway behind the Sin Din Lounge when the trench they were working in collapsed.
One man was hurt. The other worker, later identified as Jonathon Moore, 19, of Cedar Grove, Tenn. died from traumatic asphyxia and blunt impact injuries.
Investigators have not released the name of the man who survived.
It took nearly 50 firefighters from seven fire departments to rescue the worker. Fire officials said he was conscious throughout the process and even helped dig himself out.
The two men were reportedly working for Josh Levre Construction Company, which is based out of Jackson, Tenn. In the past five years the company has not been cited in Kentucky for any safety violations related to trench work, but they were cited for scaffolding violations in 2011. According to the Labor Cabinet, the company paid the fee and fixed the problem.
Kentucky follows federal standards when it comes to trenches. The state requires workers to use an adequate protective system for excavations that are more than five feet deep and a ladder protruding at least three feet out of the trench. Investigators said the men did have a protective trench box in place.
Josh LeFevre Construction Company had not responded to WHAS11's request for comment as of Friday evening, June 12.
The accident marks Kentucky's first trench worker fatality in three years. The last incident happened in April 2012 in Clay County.
