Authorities identify man killed in Alpine trench collapse


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ALPINE — A man working to install a pool in the backyard of a home died in a trench collapse Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.

Luis Moran, 53, was pronounced dead at the scene from injuries suffered in the collapse, Lone Peak Fire Chief Reed Thompson said.

Lone Peak Fire Department crews responded to the collapse shortly after 1 p.m. at 705 N. High Ridge Circle, according to Thompson. When crews arrived, they found a man with dirt up to his waist.

"We were told by others on scene that prior to our arrival, he had been encapsulated up to his neck," Thompson said.

Moran died before crews could rescue him from the fallen trench, Thompson added. The Lone Peak Fire Department was helped in the recovery effort by the Utah County Technical Rescue Team, which includes crews from American Fork, Lehi, Pleasant Grove and Orem.

Moran's body was taken the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner for an autopsy.

The collapse remains under investigation.

"This particular incident, the victim was in a trench that did not have any security measure in place — (such as) shoring — and was deeper than what (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requires at 4 feet," Thompson said. "As a result of that, you've got heavy dirt and other materials that can potentially fall or collapse into the open hole, which is what occurred."

Contributing: Natalie Molinet, KSL

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Carter Williams is an award-winning reporter who covers general news, outdoors, history and sports for KSL.com.

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