FAYETTEVILLE — The state Crime Lab will examine the body of 20-year-old Brannon Rhine, who died Sunday at a construction site of an apartment complex, a police spokesman said.
Rhine jumped into a dirt hole late Sunday afternoon at The Vue apartments after construction crews hit a sewer line, said Sgt. Craig Stout. The apartments are on Parris Avenue south of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard across from Fayetteville High School.
Rhine was trying to clear debris when the dirt pit collapsed on top of him, Stout said. Emergency crews found Rhine unresponsive, Stout said.
Crews were back at work Monday. Messages left for Houston-based Parkcrest Builders, the general contractor, were not returned.
City planning commissioners approved the large-scale development of the 180-unit apartment complex in March 2012.
Lance McFadden, a developer with Houston-based Park Green Properties, helped the project get its approval last year. He referred questions about Rhine’s death to the general contractor saying his company is no longer involved with the project.
An engineer last year wrote to planning staff stating the project will include upgrades to the water and sewer lines leading to the 19-acre site, according to a Feb. 15, 2012 letter.
Planning documents dated April 2012 show the complex is owned by University Student Living.
Stout said police detectives concluded there was no foul play and the incident likely will be reviewed by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.