Trench collapse kills 24-year-old worker

A 24-year old worker has been killed after a trench collapse on a building site in Kent.

Police and air ambulance were called to the scene in Whitstable yesterday but the 24-year-old was pronounced dead at the site.

Kent police said a man has been arrested on suspicion of corporate manslaughter after the incident.

The worker was believed to have been working in a 6ft deep trench when the sides collapsed. Health and Safety Executive inspectors are investigating and are being assisted by Kent Police. A spokesman for the Kent Air Ambulance said the worker had suffered a cardiac arrest.

A nearby primary school closed after the incident yesterday afternoon to prevent any distress for the children.