The family of a young dad killed at work when a trench collapsed have said their "hearts will forever be broken."
Joseph Hobbs, 23, from Glasgow, died alongside his friend and colleague Mark Glover, 38, while working in the Ballygowan Road area of County Down, Northern Ireland, on October 2. Paramedics rushed to the scene but tragically both men were pronounced dead at the scene. Joseph was living and working in Ballygowan at the time of the tragedy, the Daily Record reports.
Family tribute
His parents Joseph and Lisa paid tribute to their son who they described as an "amazing dad."
Dad Joseph Snr said: "Sadly our boy Joseph passed away in a work incident on Friday along with his work friend Mark. This has been devastating for everyone involved and we are so heartbroken as a family. Joseph brought so much love, happiness and lots of laughs to everyone who knew him and was the most amazing dad to his lovely son Axel. Our hearts will forever be broken."
His funeral will take place in Scotland later this month.
Investigation and support
Police said their sympathies remained "with all those affected by this tragic incident" as an investigation with Northern Ireland's Health and Safety Executive (HSENI) remains ongoing.
A fundraiser set up by pal Craig Lemon to help support the families of both men with funeral costs has raised almost £20,000.
The GoFundMe appeal said: "In an instant, two lives were taken far too soon, leaving behind two families who are now facing unimaginable pain and a future without the people they loved so deeply."
"No child should ever have to face the heartbreak of losing their dad, and no family should ever have to say goodbye to someone they love in such sudden and tragic circumstances."
"Mark and Joe were so much more than friends. They were sons, dads, brothers, family members and friends. They were people who were loved deeply and whose lives touched so many others."
"Their absence will be felt every single day. Although nothing can take away the pain their families are experiencing, we want to come together as friends, and as a community to make sure their families are not left to face the financial burden that comes with such an unexpected tragedy."
"We are raising funds to help both families with funeral costs and associated expenses, giving them one less thing to worry about during this devastating time. Most importantly, we want them to be able to concentrate on each other, on their children, and on saying goodbye to Mark and Joe with the love they deserve."
Police statement
A spokesperson for the Police Service of Northern Ireland said: "The Police Service of Northern Ireland can confirm two men have died following a workplace-related incident in the Ballygowan Road area of Crossnacreevy on Friday morning, October 2."
"Officers attended alongside colleagues from other emergency services. Despite medical treatment at the scene, sadly, two men were pronounced deceased."
"They have been named as 23-year-old Joseph Hobbs from the Comber area, and 38-year-old Mark Glover from Ballygowan."
"The deaths are not being treated as suspicious at this time – and our sympathies remain with all those affected by this tragic incident. We continue to work closely with the Health and Safety Executive and others, as enquiries into the circumstances of what happened continue."
