42-Year-Old Black Man Buried Alive After New York Grave Collapsed

New York cemetery worker Rodwin Allicock was pronounced dead after the grave he was digging collapsed on him.

Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the death of Rodwin Allicock, according to a press release. A physician assistant at the scene announced his death on Thursday morning.

New York Grave Unexpectedly Collapses

Rodwin Allicock worked as a cemetery employee in Long Island. Typical duties include maintaining the grounds of the cemetery and digging graves to a certain depth. Allicock was performing his normal job duties when the unexpected happened.

It was around 8:30 a.m. Allicock was at Washington Memorial Park in Mount Sinai, a location that has been serving families for over 50 years. He was leveling out the bottom of a grave when the sides collapsed around him, WABC reported. The grave was more than 7-foot-deep, the department said. Allicock was trapped.

No One Could Save Allicock at the New York Grave

When co-workers noticed what happened, they immediately tried to help. The team aimed to dig Allicock from inside the grave but was unsuccessful. The grave was too deep. Rescue efforts were not enough to save Allicock’s life.

Fire Rescue coordinators and officers from the Police Emergency Service station arrived at the scene. There were also representatives from the Suffolk County Department of Public Works. Members of the Middle Island, Hagerman, Selden, and Setauket Fire Department were on the scene, according to the news release. The Suffolk County emergency assistance personnel were not able to save Allicock’s life.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating this incident. Founded in 1971, OSHA is a regulatory agency of the United States Depart of Labor. The organization initially inspected and examined workplaces. Now, the agency works to “ensure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance.”