A tragic worksite incident claimed the life of Kendle Davis after the ground beneath his bulldozer gave way, sending him and the heavy equipment plunging into deep water at a sandpit off U.S. Highway 64, just east of Columbia.
According to officials, Davis was pushing dirt into the sandpit when the edge suddenly collapsed. The bulldozer plunged into water estimated to be 30 feet deep. Officials say Davis managed to escape the cab but couldn’t swim, ultimately drowning after the machine drifted away from him.
Timeline of Events
Davis’ cell phone registered its final activity around noon on Monday, July 21, 2025. When Davis didn’t resurface, his foreman called authorities around 2:40 p.m. after failed attempts to locate him and the bulldozer. Multiple agencies, including dive teams, local fire departments, EMS, and nearby sheriff’s offices, used sonar to search the water.
Around 8:30 p.m., Davis’ body was located and pulled from the sandpit. The bulldozer was retrieved the following day.
Investigation Underway
The North Carolina Department of Labor is now investigating the incident. Officials will be reviewing safety protocols, ground stability procedures, and the events leading up to the sandpit collapse to determine if workplace violations contributed to Davis’ death.
