Bulldozer Operator Drowns After Machine Plunges Into Tyrrell County Sandpit

Tyrrell County, North Carolina — July 23, 2025 — According to WITN and the Tyrrell County Sheriff’s Office, a tragic incident at a sand mining site in eastern North Carolina claimed the life of a bulldozer operator.

The fatal workplace accident occurred at a sandpit located off U.S. Highway 64, just east of the town of Columbia. Authorities say Kendle Davis, the operator, was working near the edge of a water-filled pit when his bulldozer slipped in and became fully submerged.

Chief Deputy Jimmy Shelton reported that Davis was last known to be operating the equipment while pushing earth toward the water. His cell phone last pinged around noon, but it wasn’t until several hours later—around 2:40 p.m.—that the foreman realized something was wrong. Unable to locate Davis or the bulldozer, the foreman contacted authorities for help.

A coordinated recovery effort involving local fire departments, EMS personnel, dive teams, and multiple sheriff’s offices led to the discovery of Davis’s body around 8:30 p.m. He was found submerged in approximately 30 feet of water. The bulldozer was also retrieved from the pit the following day.

The North Carolina Department of Labor has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal workplace incident. No further details have been released at this time.

Statement from Martha Ramsay, Workers’ Compensation Attorney,

Ramsay Law Firm, Charlotte, NC

“Our hearts go out to the family of Kendle Davis, whose life was tragically lost in a workplace accident in Tyrrell County. This devastating incident is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by heavy equipment operators and other workers in hazardous job environments.

When a loved one dies on the job, families are often left with more questions than answers—about what happened, what could have been done to prevent it, and what their rights are moving forward. In North Carolina, workers’ compensation laws provide death benefits to surviving family members, but these benefits are not automatic. An experienced attorney can help ensure the employer and insurance company are held accountable, and that the family receives all available compensation for funeral expenses, lost wages, and other eligible benefits.

Additionally, when a death occurs under circumstances that raise safety concerns—as this incident may—there could be grounds for further legal investigation beyond workers’ compensation, such as third-party liability or safety violations.

No family should have to navigate this process alone while grieving. At Ramsay Law Firm, we are committed to helping families get answers, secure the benefits they deserve, and find a path forward after unimaginable loss.”

The Ramsay Law Firm has attorneys who are Board Certified in Workers’ Compensation claims to help individuals with severe injuries and death claims.

A Voice For The Injured. Here Every Step of The Way. Call 704-376-1616 or contact us online.

Notes: Our team created this post using secondary sources and has not independently verified all the facts surrounding the accident. If you find any incorrect details, please contact the Ramsay Law Firm so we can update the post with the most accurate information. This post will be removed if requested.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice and is not a solicitation for business. The photograph used in this post is not representative of this accident. If you are injured in an accident, seek medical attention immediately, then speak to a North Carolina personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.