EMS Crews Free Worker Trapped In Collapsed Trench

WARREN (WWJ) - Warren's Deputy Fire Chief said a worker who was trapped in a collapsed trench with a broken leg has now been rescued.

WWJ's Sandra McNeill said the incident happened at a home on Firwood Street, where Warren Deputy Chief Gary Wilkinson said workers were waterproofing the basement of a home when a trench collapsed on a worker.

"They dug a trench for the workers to get down in the trench to apply waterproofing to the side of a basement. It's about a seven or eight foot trench, you know, maybe three feet wide, just big enough for a working crew. They had a slight collapse and dirt fell in on the guy."

EMS personnel worked delicately for about an hour, trying to rescue the man without worsening his injury.

After the rescue, investigators discovered new information on just exactly what happened. They also discovered the worker's were not professional waterproofers.

"It was the homeowner and a friend of his, trying to dig a hole to use a trencher to dig a hole and apply some tar to seal up a leak in their basement. While operating the trencher, the friend of his, in turning it he his the homeowner and knocked him into the trench," Wilkinson said.

The man, whose name is not being released, was taken to an area hospital to be treated for his injuries.