MAYNARDVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — 6 News spoke with a family member of the man who died in last Thursday’s trench collapse at Big Ridge State Park in Union County. The rescue and recovery operation involved two workers with Norris Brothers Excavating out of Crossville. One worker was rescued and taken to UT Medical Center, while the other did not survive.
The man who was buried during that multi-hour operation and later pronounced dead has now been identified as 35-year-old Donnie Stone by his brother-in-law Kevin Cassidy.
First responders detail rescue, recovery after deadly trench collapse in TN state park
“It was pretty devastating news. No matter the environment, he was still willing to jump in there and save somebody else and we just want people to know that,” said Cassidy.
Cassidy said he was shocked and saddened to hear about the accident. He and Stone his wife’s brother, had worked side by side in excavation for years, nearly their entire lives. He described Stone as a devoted family man who brought joy into life, always putting others first, even on the job site…