RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Rescue workers have recovered the body of a construction worker who died when the trench he was working in collapsed around him.

The man became buried in dirt at a Richmond Heights housing development Thursday afternoon, where he was working on the foudation of a newly constructed home.

SLIDESHOW: Worker Dies In Trench Collapse

Rescue crews worked for over two hours in an attempt to dig the man out of the trench.

Officials say the trench was at least 8 feet deep. They also said that several thousand pounds of dirt fell upon the man when the trench collapsed, and doctors said that the man probably stopped breathing within minutes after the collapse.

Officials are also wondering if this could have been a preventable tragedy. It appears that the trench had no bracing, which is regulation for all trenches over 5 feet deep.

The name of the construction worker has not been released.

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