Questions remain in fatal excavating accident

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- A Mishawaka family is still trying to understand how 22-year-old Mark Ellsworth died on the job Thursday while working for an excavating company on Notre Dame’s campus.

“Every time he walked in the room, he just made everyone smile,” said Megan Ellsworth.

She described her brother Mark as a kind, hardworking father who loved his life, his family, and his job.

“He was just a hardworking, smart guy who got his life together, graduated from high school. But getting his life together. Everything for his daughter he truly loved her,” she said.

But Mark died Thursday when a tree fell on him during an excavation project on Notre Dame’s campus, crushing his chest.

Mark worked with R&R Excavating for four years.

A representative from the company said Mark was loyal to the company and they are grieving with his family.

That grief is mixed with uncertainty for Mark’s family.

Notre Dame officials haven’t told them anything about the deadly accident that happened on their campus.

“His boss explained a little bit but we have not heard anything from Notre Dame,” Megan said.

While they wait to learn more—they remember this life lost too soon.

“He was 22, everything to my 3-year-old son. Loved him to death. Treated him like his own. Loved his daughter.”

Mark’s sister Tasha said the family is doing the best they can in a situation like this.

“It’s very hard for our whole family. We loved him so much.”

They said though he is gone, he will not be forgotten.