AN INVESTIGATION has been launched following the rescue of a man almost buried alive when a ditch he was digging collapsed around him.

Officers from the Health and Safety Executive will probe the accident which left the man trapped for three hours as rescuers battled to free him.

A fire engine from Nelson, two from Padiham, a rope rescue unit from St Annes, the major incident unit and a supporting pump from Preston and the aerial ladder from Burnley all attended to help pull Steve Robinson free, as well as police and ambulance staff.

Fire crews were called at 2.30pm on Wednesday to the scene of the drama at Foxen Dole Lane, Higham.

They described how Mr Robinson had screamed he was going to die as rescuers dug with their hands to free him, fearing the 10ft trench could collapse at any moment.

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive today said: "We are aware of the incident and it is something we will be looking into.

"Officers will go to the scene and will interview any witnesses and the victim to try and piece together exactly what has happened and how it has happened.

"The aim of the investigation is to try and find out if anything specific went wrong and what we can do to try and stop it happening again."

The investigation is likely to take several weeks.

Mr Robinson, who firefighters said was from Colne, had been digging a drainage ditch on farmland when it collapsed and soil filled the hole around him.

He was trapped for more than three hours before rescuers could release him.

Mr Robinson was then taken to Royal Preston Hospital by the North West Air Ambulance crew with a suspected fractured leg.

A spokesman for Royal Preston Hospital today said Mr Robinson was in a comfortable' condition.

The work of the rescue teams in getting the victim out safely have been praised.