Post-mortem due on worker who died in trench

A post mortem examination is to be carried out today on a man who died trapped in a trench despite the efforts of emergency services to rescue him.

He became trapped by rubble while working in the Bingley Road area of Heaton, Bradford, at around 11am yesterday.

Family members turned up at the site during the day to witness efforts to save him.

A West Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that the body of a 23-year-old local man has been recovered from the trench.

"It is believed the man had been working in the trench at the time of the incident.

"Inquiries are currently ongoing to establish how the events came about."

The Health and Safety Executive has been informed and is carrying out investigations.

Police, the ambulance service and firefighters worked together into the late afternoon to try to save the man.

The police spokeswoman said the man's identity would not be released until the post-mortem examination had been carried out.

She confirmed that some of his family were at the scene during the rescue attempt.

Officers remained at the scene last night to preserve evidence.

A decision will be made later whether the police or the HSE will lead the inquiry into the contractor's death.