A gravedigger identified as Rodwin Allicock has met his untimely death after a grave he was digging collapsed in on itself and buried him alive.

The sad incident happened at Washington Memorial Park in Mount Sinai on New York’s Long Island on Tuesday morning, February 23.

According to Suffolk County police, the 42-year-old was inside the empty seven-foot deep plot and was levelling out the bottom, when the walls suddenly caved in, burying him alive.

His co-cemetery workers rushed over and attempted to dig him out after the accident, but were unable to get to him, NY Daily News reported.

It was after first responders from the police Emergency Service Section and four local fire departments arrived, they were able to bring him out but it was too late to save him from dying. Allicock was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as well as Suffolk County’s homicide squad, are now investigating the death.