PROVIDENCE — A construction worker was killed after being trapped in a collapsed garage Monday afternoon. The accident occurred around 2:45 p.m. near 189 East 200 South in Providence.
Cache County Sheriff’s Lt. Doyle Peck said when deputies and firefighters arrived on the scene they found a construction crew had been working on the home, removing asbestos. The victim, a 52-year-old man was standing under a part of an attached garage when it collapsed.
“Our initial investigation shows that due to heavy wet snow plus the age of the building, the garage partially collapsed, trapping the victim,” explained Peck.
Construction workers and emergency crews attempted to free the victim but were unable to reach him to provide any lifesaving measures. It was later determined that the man likely died instantly.
Peck said, while emergency crews were attempting to reach the killed construction worker, a second partial collapse occurred.
“No one was injured in the secondary collapse. At this time we are just trying to ascertain exactly what happened.”
The home was unoccupied and undergoing extensive renovations.
Peck said investigators believe the collapse was caused by multiple factors.
“The building is quite old and with age and exposure to the elements, wood becomes weak. We believe there was a combination of the integrity of the structure and heavy wet snow on top.”
Law enforcement is withholding the identity of the victim, pending notification of family.
Peck said, “This appears at this time to be a tragic accident. The Cache County Sheriff’s Office sends its condolences to the family members of the deceased individual.”