Worker dies in cesspool collapse on Long Island

Image 1 of 2

HUNTINGTON, N.Y. (AP) -- Rescue crews have recovered the body of a worker killed in a cesspool accident on Long Island.

Police said Edward Sinnott, 59, was installing a new system at a house in Huntington just before 1 p.m. Wednesday when the hole collapsed, burying him under as much as 15 feet of dirt.

The worker from Huntington was pulled from the sinkhole about six hours later. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses say the man seemed to be eaten up by the earth in the blink of an eye. A second man managed to climb out of the hole.

Rescuers used a crane and a vacuum truck to remove the dirt. Nearby trees were also cut down.

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating.