Two City of Rome Public Works employees from the water and sewer department were trapped and one has died following a trench collapse late Thursday night near the intersection of Shorter Avenue and Coosawattee Avenue.
According to John Boyd, Rome Water and Sewer Division Director, the incident occurred on the second night of construction for a new sewer service for a new business in Rome.
According to reports, just before midnight a heavy rescue unit along with GSAR Search and Resue Task Force 6 were dispatched to the scene for extraction.
Both men were trapped for several hours before being removed.
Officials have named the man that succumbed to his injuries as 55 year-old James Rayburn. He was pronounced dead at 2:35 AM Friday morning.
His body will be sent to the GBI for an autopsy
The second individual involved in the accident has been identified as Michael Walters.
The condition of the second worker is unknown at this time.
An investigation into what caused the collapse is ongoing.
Kristy Shepard, Director of Human Resources and Risk Management said the city has called in a third party municipality risk consultant to lead the investigation.
