Farmworker buried alive in trench
1 August 2001
Farmworker buried alive in trench
By FWi staff
A SCOTTISH farmworker is recovering in hospital after being buried alive when a 15ft deep trench he was digging collapsed.
According to rescue workers, Ian Black, 34, survived on the air in a small space he created.
He had been working alone at Feddal Farm, Braco, Perthshire, clearing an obstruction to lay a pipe in the drainage trench, when it caved in.
The accident was discovered when a colleague found the digger with its engine still running, and saw the collapsed trench, but no sign of Mr Black.
Fire brigade assistant divisional officer Alan Ramsay said: “We were in voice contact, which was great news. We knew the man was still alive.
“It was a hard job. The chap was very, very lucky.
“The way he fell forward created a cavity in front of his face. Because the soil was clay-like, there was a breathing space in front of him.”
Mr Black was taken by air ambulance to Stirling Royal Infirmary and was reported to be in a stable condition on Monday (31 July) night.
- Farm accident deaths up 20%, FWi, 20 July, 2001
- Scots data show rise in farm deaths, FWi, 24 June, 1999
- HSE reports rise in fatalities on Scottish farms, FWi, 27 June, 1997
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