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SPANISH FORK -- A construction worker was killed in Spanish Fork Thursday afternoon when he was hit by a trackhoe.
Spanish Fork police identify him as Ricardo Carmona, 31, from the Kearns area.
Police say around 1 p.m., a construction crew was working in the area near 660 N. Lynnbrook Drive, installing a new sewer line when the accident happened.
Carmona was standing in the bottom half of a concrete manhole, which is about 10 feet deep and 6 to 8 feet in diameter. He was helping to level it when the bucket of a trackhoe slipped.
"The trackhoe operator pushes down on the side of the manhole to attempt to level it. The trackhoe slips off and knocks into the chest of the individual in the manhole," said Spanish Fork police Lt. Steve Adams.
"I ran over to see what was going on," said Jeris Hughs, who lives nearby. "I looked in the hole, and he was sitting down in the hole. He was already unconscious."
Adams said Carmona was unconscious but breathing when he was pulled out of the manhole, but he died while he was being prepped to be flown to the hospital.
Carmona's brother, who works for the same company, was standing nearby when the accident happened. His mother came to the scene and was told of her son's death.
The brothers worked for Ram Constructors, a company based out of Orem. A manager there told KSL News Carmona has been with the company for several years off and on. He also gave his condolences to his family and the co-workers who witnessed the accident.
OSHA is now investigating, and Ram Constructors is fully cooperating with that investigation.
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Story compiled with contributions from Sandra Yi and Paul Nelson.
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