Man critical after building site accident

A construction worker is in a critical condition after he was almost buried in a thirty foot deep trench.

The accident happened on a building site off the Dock Road in Limerick city at 1.20pm today.

The victim, who is in his 30s, was working in the trench when the side of it collapsed on top of him and he was buried by three tons of earth.

He was immediately dug out of the trench by his colleagues and rushed to hospital where his condition has been described as "critical".

Two ambulances and three units of Limerick Fire Brigade were called to the scene.

A garda spokesman praised the efforts of the worker's colleagues who acted quickly in a potentially life threatening situation.

It is understood the Health and Safety Authority has been called in to carry out an investigation into the cause of the accident.

A spokeswoman for the Mid Western Regional Hospital confirmed that the worker was admitted to the Accident and Emmergency Department this afternoon and described his condition as "critical".