Man Dies When Excavated Dirt Collapses In Suffolk

HEAD OF THE HARBOR, NY — A man died when excavated dirt collapsed on him in Head of the Harbor on Monday, Suffolk police said.

Employees from Darius Masonry Inc. were installing cesspool rings on Piper Lane when Lauro Pacheco, 38, of Bay Shore, entered the hole to level the ring, police said. The excavated dirt collapsed into the hole at approximately 2:25 p.m., officials said. Pacheco was extricated from the hole by Emergency Service Section officers and pronounced dead at 8:20 p.m., police said.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was notified.

Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding Pacheco's death.