Mountain Home man dies in Pocatello trench accident

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Kelly Smith, 32, of Mountain Home, has died after a sewer line trench he was working in collapsed in Pocatello.

The accident happened around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Construction crews from Bowman Plumbing were working on a sewer line in a 10-foot-deep trench when a portion caved in. Smith was working outside of a 10-foot-deep trench box, which provides protection in an emergency. The area where the collapse occurred did not have any safety devices employed.

Rescue crews work in the trench where Smith died Wednesday. (Photo by John Bulger/Idaho State Journal)

Numerous emergency responders from the Chubbuck and Pocatello fire departments, Pocatello Police and Bannock County Sheriff's Office arrived on the scene within minutes. Fellow workers had partially unearthed Smith after the collapse.

CPR was performed on the man but he could not be revived.

Emergency responders spent approximately two hours attempting to dig the man out of the dirt, according to Pocatello Assistant Fire Chief Mike Williams.

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My heart goes out to the Smith Families...a husband, father, brother and son lost.

-- Posted by mhgirl on Thu, Sep 17, 2009, at 3:59 PM
So sad...and such a nice family. Our hearts are with you.

You can donate to the family at Bowman Plumbing. Any bit helps.

-- Posted by myhiveoffive on Thu, Sep 17, 2009, at 5:35 PM
I am so saddened by this loss, my prayers and my heart goes out to the Smith family.

-- Posted by kabrown on Fri, Sep 18, 2009, at 9:03 AM
Kelly, you will be missed soo much.

-- Posted by IDMOM on Sun, Sep 20, 2009, at 9:05 PM
You will be greatly missed :(

-- Posted by Lamodar on Thu, Sep 24, 2009, at 10:39 PM

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