A WORKMAN at a Tay Wastewater Project site in Broughty Ferry dug with his bare hands in a trench on the beach in a bid to rescue one of his colleagues, a fatal accident inquiry at Dundee heard yesterday.

Sadly his efforts were to no avail and, although the body of foreman Thomas Connelly (36) was found by the emergency services later that evening, the incoming tide meant his body could not be recovered until the next morning.

Mr Connelly, of Dunoon in Argyll, died on May 30, 2001, when the ground gave way beneath him as he worked at the foreshore off Douglas Terrace.

He was employed by East West Developments Ltd, which was subcontracted to carry out parts of the project, including installing a gravity main sewer on the foreshore.

Recalling the scene after the accident, senior site agent Dominic Moynihan said Doug Livingston was inside the trench box, used to support the walls of the excavation, and was trying to rescue Mr Connelly.

He did not recall seeing the point outside the box at which the ground had collapsed.

Asked by depute fiscal Arthur Wheelan if there was anything he would do differently, Mr Moynihan replied he would prepare a method statement, detailing working procedures to be used to cover that operation specifically, rather than in conjunction with other parts of the project nearby.

He would possibly also make reference in the method statement to other documents that would provide more information.

Mr Moynihan works for Morrison Construction Services Ltd, which was carrying out the Tay Wastewater Project in a joint venture with Bechtel Ltd, of Warrington, Cheshire.

He had responsibility for the installation at Douglas Terrace and, he told the inquiry, East West was subject to a condition that work would be carried out according to Bechtel/Morrison’s method statement and temporary works drawings.

Mr Moynihan also agreed with Mr Wheelan that it was a standard condition that subcontractors receive an induction talk before being allowed on site.

The inquiry has heard “overburden” material rose to around three metres above the level of the beach and the pipe was to be laid around 2.5m deep, giving a total depth of around 5.5m.

In his contact with East West before work started, Mr Moynihan “vaguely recalled” being asked if the overburden would still be in place during the work and replying that it would be.

He would be surprised to learn that East West had priced the job on the basis of a 2.5m-3m dig, he told solicitor Henry Boyle, representing the subcontractor.

Earlier, site manager Steve McRoberts told the inquiry before Sheriff Munro that it was important to ensure there was no gap between the bottom of a trench box and the bottom of the excavation itself.

If there was, there was a potential risk of collapse, he agreed with Simon Di Rollo, QC, representing Morrison.

Mr McRoberts told the inquiry Mr Connelly did not receive a site induction talk because he did not report to the site office when he arrived on May 28.

He agreed most of the matters covered were fairly standard.

On May 30, the trench was dug and prepared for the laying of the pipe.

Mr McRoberts said he had seen something of an unsupported “face,” measuring 30cm to 40cm, at the base of the trench box but it did not concern him as it appeared to be stable.

He considered East West to be the experts in this type of work and had relied on their knowledge, he agreed with Mr Di Rollo.

The inquiry continues.