Mercer Construction accident leaves one dead, one injured in Lockhart

By Jessica Coleman
Staff Writer
 

   An excavation project in Lockhart by Mercer Construction of Edna ended in tragedy on Aug 31 when a hole collapsed on workers, killing one and injuring another. 

As of 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1 the victim has been identified as Nathan Fryday from the Edna area. 
    Around noon on Wednesday, Mercer Construction was working on a sewer line for an upcoming housing development when the collapse occurred. 

    The injured worker was transported by helicopter to an Austin hospital, according to Captain John Roescher of the Lockhart Police Department. 

    Roescher also said that during the attempt to remove the deceased worker’s body another cave-in occurred, burying the worker again. His body was finally recovered around 4 p.m. on Wednesday. 

    Roescher said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the incident. 
    The name of the injured worker has not been released.

    A representative from OSHA confimed that they are investigating the incident.