Terry Ledford was known for discovering the largest emerald ever in North America.
Channel 9 reporter Dave Faherty spoke with friends about the discovery and the accident that killed him Wednesday night.
The accident happened on a farm in Alexander County.
Ledford was digging hoping to find more emeralds.
Lynn Sharpe took Channel 9 right to the edge of the big hole on his property north of Hiddenite.
IMAGES: Search on for man at Alexander Co. trench
He is like many in this small rural community in disbelief that Ledford is gone.
"Everybody loved him. He had a smile for everybody and he loved God," Sharpe said.
Sharpe said Ledford had been digging for about 10 days on his farm using a track hoe that he had only recently purchased.
CHOPPER 9: Massive trench collapses in Alexander Co.
Sharpe will never forget walking with Ledford on the farm three years ago that led to an agreement between the two men.
"He had walked the ground and reached down and picked up something. That's a sign of emeralds. That's a sign of emeralds,” Sharpe said.
Five years ago, Ledford found an emerald just a few miles away. It is nicknamed the "Carolina Emperor,” the largest emerald ever found in North America.
RELATED: Man who found largest cut emerald on continent killed in mining accident
Rescuers said on Wednesday a portion of the 30-foot hole Ledford dug collapsed.
After two hours of searching they found the 56-year-old buried under four feet of dirt after finding one of his tools.
His fellow miners are choosing to remember Ledford for how he lived his life and his passion for digging.
"He's always carried the simple joy of finding something beautiful. It wasn't all about the money. It was finding something that was pretty,” said friend Mark Randle.
Emergency workers said it is unclear what caused the hole to collapse.
The property owner told Channel 9 he is going to fill in the hole on his farm.
Channel 9 reporter Dave Faherty spoke with friends about the discovery and the accident that killed him Wednesday night.
The accident happened on a farm in Alexander County.
Ledford was digging hoping to find more emeralds.
Lynn Sharpe took Channel 9 right to the edge of the big hole on his property north of Hiddenite.
IMAGES: Search on for man at Alexander Co. trench
He is like many in this small rural community in disbelief that Ledford is gone.
"Everybody loved him. He had a smile for everybody and he loved God," Sharpe said.
Sharpe said Ledford had been digging for about 10 days on his farm using a track hoe that he had only recently purchased.
CHOPPER 9: Massive trench collapses in Alexander Co.
Sharpe will never forget walking with Ledford on the farm three years ago that led to an agreement between the two men.
"He had walked the ground and reached down and picked up something. That's a sign of emeralds. That's a sign of emeralds,” Sharpe said.
Five years ago, Ledford found an emerald just a few miles away. It is nicknamed the "Carolina Emperor,” the largest emerald ever found in North America.
RELATED: Man who found largest cut emerald on continent killed in mining accident
Rescuers said on Wednesday a portion of the 30-foot hole Ledford dug collapsed.
After two hours of searching they found the 56-year-old buried under four feet of dirt after finding one of his tools.
His fellow miners are choosing to remember Ledford for how he lived his life and his passion for digging.
"He's always carried the simple joy of finding something beautiful. It wasn't all about the money. It was finding something that was pretty,” said friend Mark Randle.
Emergency workers said it is unclear what caused the hole to collapse.
The property owner told Channel 9 he is going to fill in the hole on his farm.
ALEXANDER COUNTY, N.C. — More trending stories on wsoctv.com:
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