Man Killed In Blue Earth Co. Construction Site ID'd

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Authorities have identified the man who was buried underground in a Blue Earth County construction site Monday.

The Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office said 28-year-old James Erickson, from Ironwood, Mich., died of probable asphyxia.

Just before 3 p.m. on Monday, the sheriff's department responded to a call of a construction accident in Lincoln, Minn. The accident occurred at the intersection of County Road 30 and 171st Street.

Upon arrival, officials learned Erickson had been working in a trench on the site when the sides caved in and buried him.

A rescue situation began, but crews were hindered by the instability in the area.

Around 8:15 p.m. crews were finally able to recover Erickson's body.

He was taken to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's office. The manner of death was determined to be an accident.