A WORKMAN died yesterday after the sides of a manhole caved in on top of him.

Another man was rescued after becoming trapped in mud on the Wimpey building site at Skelton, east Cleveland. Neither has been named.

The first man was pronounced dead at the scene. His badly injured colleague, who is 28, was taken to the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, with a lower back injury and leg pain.

All three emergency services rushed to the building site, which is on the edge of the town.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Fire Brigade said: "The fire brigade were called just before 1.30pm to a collapsed manhole at the site. Two people were trapped. The brigade rescued one of them but, unfortunately, the other one was dead.

"The Health and Safety Executive are investigating and we are awaiting instructions from them as what to do next.''

Two fire appliances, one from Saltburn, the other from Skelton attended, as well as an emergency tender from Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, where the brigade's specialist rope rescue team is based.

A spokesman for the Tees East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service said later that the rescued workman "had been trapped up to his neck in thick mud."

Confirming an accident investigation was under way, a spokeswoman said the Health and Safety Executive was in liaison with Cleveland Police over the incident.

A spokeswoman for George Wimpey said: "Two men were involved in an incident. One has died, the other injured but taken to hospital.

She added: "At this time, we extend our deepest sympathy to the family of the man who died.''

The accident happened on the Springfields building site, where four and five bedroom houses are being built for sale from £166,000 to £244,000.