A construction site in Mapleton turned into a full-scale rescue scene Thursday evening after a trench collapsed on a worker digging a nine-foot hole near Charlotte Court, leaving him buried up to his head and fighting for his life.
The man was eventually airlifted to a hospital in critical condition after emergency crews spent more than an hour carefully freeing him from the caved-in trench. Multiple city crews and first responders converged on the site as the rescue unfolded.
As reported by FOX13, responders arrived at 7:24 p.m. to find the man buried above his head in the nine-foot excavation. City officials helped move roughly five yards of earth so rescuers could reach him. Crews lifted him out after about one hour and 40 minutes, and he was then flown by air ambulance to a hospital in critical condition. According to FOX13, he was alert and conscious and able to speak with officers during the operation.
How rescuers worked the scene
Trench rescues are notoriously risky, since shifting soil can trigger a second collapse while crews are trying to help. Teams typically stabilize and shore up the trench before attempting to remove anyone trapped inside.
According to NIOSH, trenches can collapse without warning and are among the most dangerous hazards in construction work.
Trench safety and regulations
Federal excavation rules require protective systems for trenches deeper than five feet and call for a "competent person" to evaluate soil conditions and other hazards, according to OSHA. OSHA's excavation standard (29 CFR 1926 Subpart P) spells out shoring, sloping and related safety measures aimed at preventing cave-ins and reducing the risk of serious injury or death.
FOX13 is the principal local outlet reporting on the rescue. The station did not identify the worker or detail what led to the collapse, and it was not immediately clear whether state or federal safety regulators would open an inquiry into the incident.
