A WIVELISCOMBE man who was found dead and left over night after the trench he was working on collapsed has been named.

Stephen White, 49, was digging a deep trench on Hudford Farm, near Clatworthy.

He was using a mechanical digger to lay some pipe.

A coroner’s spokesman said police believed Mr White, who lived at Hudford Stables, entered the three-metre deep trench against advice before the sides caved in on him, causing him to die of asphyxiation.

Emergency services were called to the scene at around 4.05pm on November 8, but Mr White’s body was left over night due to fears over the safety and stability of the trench.

His body was recovered at 6.30pm on November 9 with the help of a specialist construction team.

A post mortem was carried out last week, and the Health & Safety Executive is investigating.

Mr White leaves behind a wife, Mandy, two sons, Shane and Kyle and a daughter, Shannon.

His funeral will be held this Saturday, November 19, at Clatworthy Church. Family flowers only are requested, but donations if desired can be made to St Margaret’s Somerset Hospice.