HEAD OF THE HARBOR, N.Y. (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A worker died Monday after he was buried by dirt in a cesspool hole on Long Island, Suffolk County police said.
The 38-year-old worker was installing cesspool rings at 1 Piper Lane in Head of the Harbor at 2:25 p.m. when excavated dirt collapsed into the hole.
First responders worked into the night to extricate him, but he was pronounced dead at 8:20 p.m.
He was identified as Lauro Pacheco.
Conditions were muddy and temps near freezing during the rescue effort, which involved an excavator and a front loader, according to Newsday.
The SCPD homicide squad is investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was notified, police said.