On Thursday morning around 8 a.m., a trench collapsed at Big Ridge State Park in Union County, Tennessee, trapping two workers from Norris Brothers Excavating, a company based in Crossville, who were reportedly working on the park’s sewage system.

Emergency crews, including the Paulette Volunteer Fire Department, Knoxville Fire Department, Knox County Rescue Squad, Lifestar, and Union County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the scene. One worker was rescued around 1:20 p.m., remained alert throughout the operation, and was airlifted to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in critical or potentially critical condition.

Efforts to reach the second worker shifted from rescue to recovery during the day, and his body was recovered at 5:52 p.m.; he was pronounced dead. The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the incident, and Big Ridge State Park will remain closed during the investigation.

Initial reports incorrectly identified the workers as employees of Hallsdale-Powell Utility District, which later confirmed it was not involved.