Dept. of Labor & Industry investigating Radford trench collapse

By: Ashley Roberts | RADFORD
Published: August 24, 2010

The Virginia Department of Labor & Industry is now investigating a trench collapse in Radford.

It happened at Central United Methodist Church a little before 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Fire Chief Lee Simpkins says 38-year-old Rex Matney Jr. was killed after a trench he was digging collapsed on him.

He says it took rescue crews nearly seven hours to recover his body from the eight-foot deep trench.

"He had a four-month-old child and a family. I knew his brother personally. It is devastating," said Simpkins.

The chief also tells us he didn't see any protective equipment in the hole.

The Department of Labor & Industry says the investigation could take up to six months.

Jane Daffron, legal assistant for the department also told WSLS in an email that "during that time, the compliance officer will do his investigation and his initial report will be reviewed by his Compliance Manager and the Regional Director. It will then come to the Legal Division for a legal review. If any citations are warranted, they will be issued after that time (no later than the 6 months). Once the company has the citations, they have 15 days to either accept or contest. The only information available for release at that time will be the citations. Any further information will not be released until the file is closed by an order of the Commissioner or by Court Order."

Daffron also told us the general contractor on the project was Larry Gaby. We contacted him for comment and are still waiting to hear back.

Memorial services for Matney will be held Tuesday, August 24th at 7 p.m. at the Mullins Funeral Home in Radford.