Four Killed In Construction Accident

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Trench collapse near Verdel, Nebraska
Posted: 4:01 PM Sep 12, 2008
Last Updated: 6:04 PM Sep 12, 2008
Reporter: WOWT
Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com

10 comments

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Four construction workers were killed when a drainage trench in which they were working collapsed Friday morning near Verdel in northeast Nebraska.

The men were digging the trench on state Highway 12 around 9 a.m. when it collapsed on top of them.

The victims have been identified as 24-year-old Travis Lunn and 35-year-old David Peterson, both of O'Neill, 61-year-old Gary Forsch of Spencer and 43-year-old Brad Kelly of Lynch.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Sid on Sep 15, 2008 at 09:45 AM
Things happen so fast. If it was deep enough to have enough dirt to collapse, there should have been shoring to support the sides. My prayers go out to all the families involved.

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 14, 2008 at 10:03 AM
There needed to be some type of box portecting the workers from dirt caving in when they were working, there was no box in there at the time of the accident. Travis fell in first and the other three men jumped in and where trying to dig him out of the dirt when another huge chunk of dirt fell on top of all of them. It so tragic, and I feel so horriable for the families. This line of work is so hard, and dangerous not to mention, I just wish that nothing like this would ever happen. I pray for their familys.

Posted by: Ann on Sep 13, 2008 at 09:11 PM
This is true heroism. I am so sorry for all.

Posted by: Savannah on Sep 13, 2008 at 02:17 PM
Often people die of such accidents or corn and dirt collapsing. Is there anything in place to protect these workers? Bless the families for the loss. so sad that hard working people suppotring their families have to end up this way! Hope the bussiness stands behind the familys to make ends met

Posted by: t on Sep 13, 2008 at 12:21 PM
What a horrific tragedy. My thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of Travis, David, Gary, and Brad. God Bless David, Gary, and Brad for trying to save Travis' life. They are truly heroes.

Posted by: Bill on Sep 13, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Where was the Safety man? And did the have any shoring like it should have been?

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 12, 2008 at 11:24 PM
My husband went to work on this job yesterday. He was on the job when it happened it is a horriable accident. I pray for all of the families

Posted by: Kent on Sep 12, 2008 at 10:42 PM
I saw this on the Fox news site. The trench collapsed, trapping Travis Lunn, and the others died trying to rescue him. David, Gary, and Brad are true heroes for risking and giving up their lives while trying to rescue their coworker. Pray for their families in this time of extreme grief.

Posted by: jeff on Sep 12, 2008 at 09:06 PM
Our thoughts and prayes go out to all the families.

Posted by: Annette on Sep 12, 2008 at 04:20 PM
How awful. I'll say a prayer for them and their families.