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Delta Junction, Alaska – March 21, 2025 – A routine septic tank installation turned deadly on Tuesday when a 13-foot-deep trench caved in on two workers, burying them under tons of soil. The Alaska State Troopers identified the victims as Paul Hebert, 68, and Jacquelyn Wilder, 71, both of whom died at the scene despite a coordinated rescue effort.
The incident occurred around 1:26 p.m. in Delta Junction, about 100 miles southeast of Fairbanks. According to the Rural Deltana Volunteer Fire Department, the trench was being excavated for a new septic system when the walls suddenly collapsed, trapping both workers in seconds.
“Once resources were gathered, boundary lines were created and crews got to work clearing loads of dirt in the way and creating a path to allow responders to enter without also becoming trapped,” the fire department posted after the rescue. Heavy equipment moved the bulk of the soil, while responders used shovels to carefully access the victims.
Hebert was working as an independent contractor on the septic system and had decades of experience. His wife, Lori Meek, described him as a deeply spiritual man and a passionate guitarist. “His love for the music, he did that for years, many years. He was 68 years old when he died. And the first thing he would tell you was his faith,” Meek said. She added that Hebert was a longtime member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and often played gospel music at local gatherings.
Wilder’s family has not publicly commented, but friends have started a memorial fund to support her grandchildren.
The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development confirmed it is investigating the collapse, but under state law, trenching accidents involving independent contractors often fall into a regulatory gray area. “Independent contractors are not always covered by the same OSHA standards that apply to employees of larger firms,” said Mark Rosenthal, a retired construction safety inspector who now consults for the Alaska Safety Alliance. “This case highlights a dangerous loophole.”
OSHA regulations require trenches deeper than 5 feet to have protective systems like shoring, sloping, or trench boxes—unless the excavation is in stable rock. Hebert, as an independent contractor, may not have been subject to mandatory safety training or plan requirements. “We see these tragedies repeat themselves when small operators skip the shoring to save time and money,” Rosenthal said.
In 2023, trench collapses caused 28 worker fatalities nationwide, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Alaska has had at least four such deaths in the past five years, including a 2021 incident in Anchorage that killed a municipal worker.
Delta Junction, a small community of fewer than 1,000 people, has been shaken by the loss. The Rural Deltana Volunteer Fire Department held a debriefing on Wednesday to review the rescue operation. Chief Mike Harstad praised the teamwork but acknowledged the emotional toll. “Our people train for these scenarios, but actually digging out someone you know is brutal,” he said.
The state medical examiner will conduct autopsies later this week. Meanwhile, the Alaska Contractors Association announced it will offer free trench safety workshops for independent contractors and small businesses starting next month.
“Paul was not just a worker,” said neighbor Tom Jennings. “He was the guy who would drop everything to help you with a frozen pipe. This shouldn’t have happened.”
Homeowners planning septic or utility installations should ensure contractors have a site-specific safety plan and use proper trench protection, even for small projects. The Alaska Division of Occupational Safety and Health recommends contacting their consultation program for free on-site evaluations.
The investigation remains ongoing. No citations have been issued as of this report.
