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Two men have died after a trench collapse on the Ballygowan Road in County Down, emergency services have confirmed. The victims have been named locally, and neighbours and local groups have offered condolences as authorities investigate what happened.
What happened at the site
Police and ambulance crews were called to the scene on Friday following reports of a collapsed trench. Local accounts and official statements indicate earthworks were underway when the walls of the excavation gave way, trapping a number of people.
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Two men who had been working in the trench were later pronounced dead at the scene. They have been locally identified as Joseph Hobbs, 23, from the Comber area, and Markle Glover, 38, from Ballygowan.
Emergency response and official enquiries
Three ambulances and two hazard response teams attended and provided treatment, but both men were confirmed dead at the location. The PSNI said the deaths are not being treated as suspicious at this time.
A PSNI spokesperson added that officers are liaising with the Health and Safety Executive and other agencies while enquiries into the circumstances continue.
DUP MP Gavin Robinson described the loss as “devastating,” saying: “Sadly, it has been confirmed that two people have lost their lives following an incident in Crossnacreevy. My thoughts are with their families and loved ones at this devastating time, and with the emergency services responding to the incident.”
Local reaction and tributes
Community groups and churches in the area issued messages of sympathy. Crossnacreevy Community Association expressed condolences to the families and paid tribute to the emergency workers who attended.
Moneyreagh Community Church said it was “deeply saddened” by the deaths and offered support to those affected, inviting anyone in need of someone to talk or pray with to reach out to them.
Neighbours who witnessed the collapse were also acknowledged in community statements, which urged respect for the families’ privacy as investigations continue.
