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Teen killed in trench collapse was helping with family project

WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. — A teenager who died Wednesday in a trench collapse was helping with a family project when the accident happened, officials said.

No criminal charges will be filed, Pennsylvania state police said on Thursday.

Adam Skokut, 18, died after becoming trapped inside the trench on Fitz Henry Road in South Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County.

VIDEO: Chopper 11 over the scene

Skokut was reported to be unconscious when the collapse was reported shortly after 9:30 a.m. and pronounced dead at the scene. The Westmoreland County coroner said Skokut died of compression suffocation. His death was ruled accidental.

Skokut graduated from Yough High School in 2016 and was described as an all-around nice young man. Neighbors said he was working alongside his father installing a septic line in the backyard when the accident happened.

"Absolutely broke my heart. So young, so young. I couldn't imagine watching something like that happen," said Lisa Fencil, a neighbor.

Michele Tylka, who is also a neighbor, said her husband just spoke with Skokut Tuesday night.

"He was talking to young Adam, and he was really interested in metal detecting, and my husband told him he would take him out this summer and show him how to do things. They are a wonderful family. (It's) such a horrible tragedy," Tylka said.

Firefighters and a specialized trench rescue team spent hours trying to recover Skokut, but it was a meticulous and challenging rescue.

"They were digging. They noticed water coming in from the side walls. (Adam) went down to see where the water was coming from, and that's how (the collapse) happened," Crabtree Fire Department Chief Bill Watkins said.

Firefighters said the trench was about 10 feet deep and didn't have any trench boxes to stabilize the dirt. The ground was so heavy and saturated that it would have been nearly impossible to survive.

"It's not something routine, and (the) depth of the ditch posed a problem, and getting it all safely set up, it takes time," Turkeytown Fire Department Chief Larry Nemec said.

The family was renovating the house and owns a sanitation business, so the chief said this is work with which the family is familiar.

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