Iowa Man Sues After Being Buried Alive, Says OSHA Rules Are Just Suggestions in Polk County

Polk County, IA—In a story that sounds ripped straight from a poorly written disaster movie, Trevor Kilgore, a construction worker and part-time escape artist, is suing his employer after being buried alive in a trench that he claims violated more OSHA rules than a middle school dodgeball game.

Kilgore’s lawsuit, filed December 5, alleges that on June 12, 2023, he was working in a trench so deep and unsafe it might as well have been sponsored by a villain from a Looney Tunes cartoon. The trench, roughly 12 feet deep, was dug without a support system, shield, or even a pep talk from anyone vaguely concerned with human life, according to court documents.

This photo is to help you have a starting off point to imagine getting buried alive.

"Please Save Me, Don’t Let Me Die"

While Kilgore was busy trying to connect water and sewer lines, another worker operating an excavator allegedly decided it was the perfect time to play Tetris with the surrounding dirt. Moments later, the trench walls collapsed, burying Kilgore alive under a mountain of soil and regret.

Kilgore reportedly scrunched his body to protect his head and create an air bubble, all while pleading for his life in a moment so harrowing it made the dirt feel bad for crushing him.

“While buried alive, Kilgore worried his wife would have to take care of their kids alone,” the lawsuit says. Apparently, nothing motivates survival like imagining your spouse being stuck with all the PTA meetings.

Sues After Being Buried Alive: “Is It Unsafe? Abso-(Expletive)-lutely.”

Gregg Edwards, Kilgore’s boss and trench-safety philosopher, reportedly told a Polk County deputy, “Everybody can talk about shoring and boxes... Is it unsafe? Abso-(expletive)-lutely. But it’s hard to make it safe. You gotta get a guy in there to make it safe.”

This enlightened take on workplace safety might make Edwards the front-runner for OSHA’s “Most Creative Excuse for Gross Negligence” award.

A History of Cutting Corners—and Lives Short

The lawsuit also alleges Edwards has a history of trench-related mishaps, including a 2016 incident where a worker died in another cave-in. It seems Edwards’ safety strategy hasn’t evolved much since then, other than doubling down on his “if it collapses, we’ll dig them out” motto.

Medical Bills and Dirt-Fueled Trauma

After being buried for roughly 20 minutes, Kilgore was eventually freed and rushed to the hospital, where he was treated for multiple injuries and what can only be described as a permanent aversion to soil.

Kilgore sues After Being Buried Alive, seeking damages for his medical expenses, emotional distress, and the sheer indignity of being treated like a construction-themed piñata.

Meanwhile, OSHA has reportedly updated its Polk County handbook to include the new Edwards Enterprises motto: “Is it unsafe? Absolutely.”