The parents of a young Scottish dad killed when a trench collapsed at his workplace have said their "hearts will forever be broken". Joseph Hobbs, 23, from Glasgow, died alongside his friend and colleague Mark Glover, 38, in the Ballygowan Road area of County Down, Northern Ireland, on October 2.
Emergency response and family tribute
Emergency services attended the scene, but both men were pronounced dead. Joseph was living and working in Ballygowan at the time of the tragedy. His parents, Joseph and Lisa, from South Lanarkshire, paid tribute to their son, describing him as an "amazing dad".
His father, 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."
Investigation and community support
Joseph's funeral will take place in Scotland later this month. 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) continues.
A fundraiser set up by pal Craig Lemon to support both families 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."
The appeal added: "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."
