“THEIR MEMORIES WILL LIVE ON THROUGH THEIR CHILDREN” — TWO DADS KILLED IN TRAGIC TRENCH COLLAPSE

JOSEPH HOBBS, 23, AND MARK GLOVER, 38, WERE REMEMBERED AS LOVING FATHERS AFTER A DEVASTATING WORKPLACE TRAGEDY IN COUNTY DOWN

Two families in County Down are facing an unimaginable loss after two fathers died in a workplace trench collapse.

Joseph Hobbs, 23, from the Comber area, and Mark Glover, 38, from Ballygowan, died following the incident on Ballygowan Road in Crossnacreevy on Friday, October 2.

Both men were pronounced dead at the scene despite efforts by emergency crews.

Now, friends, relatives and members of the local community are coming together to remember the men they loved — and to support the children they left behind.

A TRAGEDY ON A FRIDAY MORNING

Emergency services were called to Ballygowan Road shortly before 11am on October 2 following reports of a workplace incident involving a trench collapse.

Police, firefighters and ambulance crews rushed to the scene.

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service deployed specialist rescue teams as crews worked for hours at the scene.

The operation continued into the early hours of Saturday, with the final firefighters leaving shortly before 2:46am.

Despite the considerable emergency response, both men sadly died.

JOSEPH — A YOUNG DAD WHO BROUGHT “LOVE, HAPPINESS AND LOTS OF LAUGHS”

Joseph Hobbs was only 23 years old.

His family remembered him as someone who brought warmth and laughter to those around him.

In a tribute shared after his death, his family said Joseph brought “so much love, happiness and lots of laughs” to everyone who knew him.

But above all, he was remembered as a devoted father to his young son, Axel.

His family described him as an amazing dad.

Now, Axel will grow up carrying memories of a father who was taken from him far too soon.

MARK — “A LARGER THAN LIFE PERSONALITY”

Mark Glover was 38 and from Ballygowan.

His brother Barney described the family’s devastation after receiving the news.

Mark was remembered as having a “larger than life personality” and as someone who could make people laugh wherever he went.

His family also expressed gratitude to the emergency responders who worked tirelessly during the recovery operation.

Mark leaves behind two children, Rio and Cole.

TWO FATHERS, THREE CHILDREN LEFT BEHIND

The tragedy has left three young children without their fathers.

Mark’s children, Rio and Cole.

Joseph’s son, Axel.

A fundraiser launched by their friends said the two men were much more than workers caught up in a terrible accident.

They were sons, dads, brothers, family members and friends whose absence will be felt every day.

The fundraiser is intended to help both families with funeral costs and other unexpected expenses following the sudden deaths.

A COMMUNITY RALLIES AROUND THE FAMILIES

Friends and locals have responded by raising money to help the families through the difficult days ahead.

The campaign was launched by Craig Lemon, who described Mark and Joe as dear friends.

The appeal asks people to donate or share the fundraiser so the families can focus on one another and on saying goodbye to the two men.

The message behind the campaign is simple:

Their fathers may be gone, but their memories will live on through their children.

EMERGENCY CREWS WORKED FOR HOURS

The tragedy also highlighted the difficult work carried out by emergency responders at the scene.

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service said specialist rescue teams were involved in the operation.

Crews from Knock, Carryduff and Cadogan attended, alongside three specialist rescue teams.

Firefighters remained at the scene for almost 16 hours.

The service later expressed its sympathy to the families and loved ones of the two men.

INVESTIGATION INTO WHAT HAPPENED CONTINUES

Police have confirmed that the deaths are not currently being treated as suspicious.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland is working with the Health and Safety Executive and other agencies as investigators examine the circumstances surrounding the workplace incident.

Authorities have not yet announced a final explanation for what caused the trench collapse.

THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO COME HOME

For Joseph’s and Mark’s families, the tragedy is not simply about a workplace incident.

It is about two men who left home for work and never returned.

It is about three children who will now grow up without their dads.

And it is about families suddenly having to make funeral arrangements instead of planning the ordinary days they thought were ahead.

Joseph was 23.

Mark was 38.

Both were fathers.

Both were deeply loved.

And both are now being remembered by a community determined to stand beside their families.

Their lives were cut tragically short — but the memories they created will remain with the people who loved them most.

SOURCES

• Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) — official confirmation of the deaths and ongoing investigation.
• The Irish Sun — family tributes and fundraiser details.
• GoFundMe — fundraiser established to support the families of Mark Glover and Joseph Hobbs.