WASHINGTON — A private contractor who was installing a water line in Berryville, Virginia, fell into a trench Wednesday and died after an unsuccessful hourslong effort to rescue him, the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office said.

The man, who fell into the trench shortly before 10 a.m. Wednesday, was buried up to his neck after the trench’s dirt walls collapsed, the sheriff’s office said.

Emergency crews from Clarke, Fairfax and Loudoun counties tried to help rescue the man, who at first was conscious and breathing, law enforcement said. Crews were concerned about how long he had been trapped in the trench.

Police have not released the man’s name yet.

The Berryville Police Department is now investigating the incident.

WTOP’s Lisa Weiner contributed to this report.