A RURAL community is today coming to terms with the death of two men who were crushed by a barn wall.

The builders, who were renovating the barn at the time, were pronounced dead at the scene of the horrific accident.

Firefighters were the first emergency service to reach the scene, in Worlingworth, near Framlingham, after being alerted at around 5pm yesterday (Thursday).

A fire crew from Stradbroke was called to help free a man in his 30s from underneath the rubble of the brick gable end of a barn which was being converted off Church Road.

They were joined at the scene by rescuers from Princes Street station in Ipswich. While attempting to free the trapped builder from underneath the rubble of the brick gable end of the barn, a second casualty was discovered.

An air ambulance, two ambulances, two fast response cars and the Hazardous Area Response Team were dispatched to the scene.

Gary Sanderson, communications manager for the East of England Ambulance Service, said: 'Sadly after everyone's best efforts, two men were pronounced dead at the scene. Our thoughts are firmly with their families at this tragic time.'

One of the men is thought to have died after suffering a possible cardiac arrest.

He was reported to be lying face down, semi-conscious when help arrived, and his breathing was described as shallow by the first responders to arrive at the scene.

Paramedics and firefighters tried to resuscitate both of the men but were unsuccessful and they were pronounced dead at the scene.

Ian Bowell, Suffolk Fire and Rescue group manager, said: 'On arrival, the first crew found that the gable end of an old barn, which was being renovated, had collapsed. Two people were heavily trapped in the rubble.

'Fire crews and paramedics tried to resuscitate them but sadly the first person was confirmed dead quite quickly by the air ambulance doctor. The second person lost his life 20 minutes later after efforts to revive him.

'We then carried out a search of the rubble to try and find if anybody else was trapped, but this was not the case. Our thoughts are with the victims' families.'

It is thought relatives of the victims were at the scene as rescuers attempted to save the men.

Due to the structural damage and a dangerous working environment, response team operatives – paramedics trained in working in unsafe areas – remained at the scene to assist the fire service.

Richard Jones, spokesman for Suffolk police, said: 'Police and the Health and Safety Executive have launched a joint investigation.'