Ditch Collapse Kills Two Workers Frantic Efforts To Unearth Two Men Fall Short In Moscow

A cave-in has killed a construction employee and the co-worker who jumped into the hole to save him.

Killed on Wednesday morning were Jack O. Robinson, 54, of Viola, Idaho, and John W. Moore, 52, of Lewiston. The men were installing a sewer system in Moscow.

Robinson was in the 14-foot-deep hole when it collapsed about 9 a.m., according to police reports. Moore called to other workers for help and then jumped in to try to save Robinson, but he was buried as well.

Co-workers and neighbors worked furiously to unearth the men. They were joined shortly by emergency crews.

With police and emergency workers organizing, construction workers helped dig out the hole and cut boards and plywood to stabilize the walls.

Emergency personnel hooked to ropes were lowered down to help unearth the men, sending up buckets full of dirt.

At 9:45 a.m., Moore’s body was found about 10 feet down. He was taken to the Moscow hospital but was pronounced dead at 10:17 a.m.

Work began anew to locate Robinson, who was even deeper in the ground. Moscow Police Chief William Brown Jr. said the construction site was loose fill and the dirt just flowed into the hole.

“You’re in a race against time to get the men out, but you also have to be extremely careful so you don’t cause another cave-in,” he said.

Four backhoes were used to dig around the spot.

At one point, the tension from being unable to help their friend was so high that workers were asked to step away from the hole.

“We’re ditch diggers; this is our job,” one worker yelled. “Let us help.”

At 10:45 a.m., Robinson’s body was found. His son, Wayne, crept up to the edge of the hole, peered in and then went back to embrace relatives and friends.

The case is being investigated as an industrial accident.