ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - A grieving father says he’s still waiting for answers about what led to his son’s death while working for the city of Albany. Sebastian Dykes Jr. died from mechanical asphyxiation from an accident his father says could have been prevented. Walb’s Lenah Allen spent the day with Dykes’ father at the spot his son died on the job.

“It’s hard but it’s fair. Like I said I’m going to be the voice for him,” said Sebastian Dykes, Sr., Sebastian’s dad.

On Dec. 18, 28-year-old Sebastian Dykes, Jr. died after a trench wall collapsed on him while he was working on a collapsed sewer. The day after the accident, Sebastian’s father told WALB the city hadn’t given him any answers. The next day, the city announced it had launched an internal investigation and would be transparent about the results.

“While nothing we will do now can change what has happened, we will learn from this incident and review our policies and procedures,” said Albany Mayor Bo Dorough.

WALB has sent multiple requests to the city asking for documented protocols for employees who work inside sewer trenches, but we have not received them.

Dougherty County Coroner Michael Fowler said Sebastian’s official cause of death was ruled mechanical asphyxiation. He also said that based on reports and his observation from the day of the incident, there wasn’t a trench box on the scene which is required for safety.

“I feel like they robbed us. I will never get an opportunity to see his face again,” said Sebstian Dykes, Sr.

Sebastian’s death marked the 2nd on-the-job death for an Albany employee in 2024. In February, Darrious Stephens, who also worked for the public works department, drowned after falling into the Flint River while on the job. WALB has sent multiple open records requests in that case and has only been told it’s an open investigation. Specifically, we want to know if that investigation is still ongoing, almost a year after Stephen’s death.

Sebastian’s father said he won’t stop fighting for answers.

“So I will be his eyes, his mouth, and the ears. I will speak up for what is true and what is right. Sebastian Dykes, Jr. He will never be forgotten. but he will be missed,” he said.

Previous Coverage:

• Official cause of death released in City of Albany employee work-related death
• Funeral set for Albany employee who died after work-related accident
• WALB Investigates: Why OSHA isn’t investigating Albany city employee death
• City of Albany launches internal investigation following on-the-job death of city sewer worker
• City of Albany worker who died after on-the-job accident identified
• ‘I just want answers’: Family of Albany city worker speaks out after fatal on-the-job accident
• City of Albany worker dead after on-the-job accident, another injured

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