Second man dies after trench collapse at Ballarat construction site
Jack Brownlee, 20.
A young man who was trapped for hours after a six-metre trench collapsed at a Ballarat construction site has died in hospital.
Jack Brownlee, 20, is the second person to die after Wednesday’s trench collapse.
His colleague, who was also in the trench at the time, died at the scene.
Mr Brownlee’s workmates dug with their hands and tools to try to free the young worker, who was buried waist-deep in dirt for two hours.
Eventually, an excavator was used to get him out.
The scene of the trench collapse on Wednesday.
Photo: Twitter: @7NewsMelbourneHe was flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with serious injuries where he was placed in an induced coma and underwent four emergency surgeries.
His family and friends rushed to his bedside, but Mr Brownlee died in hospital on Thursday.
"We have the unfortunate task of announcing our son, brother and best mate Jackie Boy has passed away," a statement via the family's spokeswoman Kelly Dubberley said.
"We would like to thank the efforts of the amazing team at the Royal Melbourne Hospital for their care, compassion and efforts over the past 24 hours.
"We the family know that what could be done was done to get our boy back up and running. This is a very trying time for all family and friends and we would like all to respect our privacy at the sad time.
"Rest In Peace Jacky Boy Brownlee, king of the jungle … you will never ever be forgotten mate."
In an earlier statement they said: "The family would like to thank everyone for their well wishes and would like to pass on their condolences to the other family affected by the terrible avoidable incident."
Jack Brownlee, 20, was trapped in waist-deep dirt for two hours.
Photo: Seven NewsThe incident happened at the Winterfield Estate on the Glenelg Highway about 11am.
Mr Brownlee's colleague was aged in his 30s, but is yet to be identified.
Senior Sergeant David Hermit said a joint investigation between police and WorkSafe would determine the cause of the fatal collapse.
"We don’t know how it happened, there was nobody present at the time," he said.
"The two workers were in the trench and were discovered by other workers arriving on the scene.
"First of all the rescuers were using their hands, then hand tools, before the trench specialists arrived. The men were a long way down, probably five or six metres."
The trench collapse has claimed two lives.
Photo: Seven NewsTravis Bramble, a pipe layer for BMD who was working on the other side of the road said he was informed soon after the incident.
"When I first found out [I felt] pretty sick actually; it's the whole 'look after your mates' [message],” he said.
"But in regards to the fact it could have been one of our boys. It's a good wake up call and I'll be bringing it up at our next meeting that's for sure."