UPDATE 02/18/25 1:53 PM:

Newberry County Coroner Laura Kneece identifies ANTHONY MARQUET HOLLOWMAN, 53, of Bishopville, South Carolina as the victim who died on the scene of the trench collapse incident that occurred in the 7700 block of Macedonia Church Road on Monday, February 17, 2025.

An autopsy has been requested and will be performed this week.

The Newberry County Coroner’s Office and the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office are investigating this incident.

At approximately 10:50 am on Monday the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a distress call regarding a construction worker being buried in a ditch.

Newberry County EMS, Fairview Fire and Lake Murray Rescue were promptly dispatched to the scene on Macedonia Church Road. They were accompanied by Sheriff’s Deputies.

Upon arrival, first responders discovered that a construction worker had been laying a water line in a trench when it suddenly collapsed, trapping him. Fellow workers attempted to rescue the individual but were unsuccessful.

Specialized trench rescue units from Whitmire Rescue, along with additional Newberry County Rescue and Fire Services, were summoned to the scene.

The incident commander subsequently requested the assistance of specialized units from the Columbia Fire Department and Lexington County Fire Services, which possess expertise in trench and confined space rescue operations.

The Newberry County Coroner’s Office was on the scene later.