Man dies after site trench collapses

FIVE workers have lost their lives in one of the blackest weeks for workplace safety this year.

Gardaí were last night at the scene of a fatality in Kenmare, Co Kerry. Inspectors and officers from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) were also on their way. A local man, believed to be in his 50s, died when a trench collapsed on him at a building site in a housing development at Gortamullen sometime after 2.30pm.

A Polish colleague working in the trench at the time was injured. It is understood he suffered a broken leg. In separate incidents last week two workers were electrocuted to death and two men drowned, bringing the workplace death toll this year to 64, the (HSA) said.