Rescue workers at the scene on Clayson Rd., in the Hwy. 400 and Wilson Ave. area, Tuesday, March 12, 2013, after a worker fell in a deep trench and was buried alive. (Dave Thomas/QMI Agency)

TORONTO - A worker was killed Tuesday after he fell into a trench in north Toronto and was buried by a concrete slab.

Labour ministry spokesman Matt Blajer said the man fell while installing new sewer service on Clayson Rd., near Hwy. 400 and Wilson Ave., around noon.

A concrete catch basin being installed at the trench site then landed on top of him.

“The worker was pronounced dead at the scene by the coroner,” Blajer said.

The ministry and Toronto Police are investigating the workplace incident.

The worker, who has not been identified, was an employee of Rabcon Contractors. The Bethesda, Ont., company was under contract to the City of Toronto to install sewer service to an industrial building.

“The (city) offers its sincere condolences to the family and colleagues of this worker,” a statement from city officials said.

It’s unclear how deep the trench was that the man fell into, but EMS spokesman Kim McKinnon said reports to emergency workers indicated it could have been as deep as 7.6 metres.

“We were called to the scene but weren’t able to get to the worker to help,” McKinnon said.

shawn.jeffords@sunmedia.ca