Caroline Tucker
WMAL.com
WASHINGTON– (WMAL) – A construction worker trapped in a collapsed trench has died.
D.C. Fire and EMS spokesperson Vito Maggiolo says their rescue effort has now turned into a recovery effort on Dexter Street NW.
“We are now coming up with a game plan about how to safely recover the victim, ” said Maggiolo.
Early this morning, the worker was in a huge hole at a construction site when all of a sudden a trench collapsed and he became buried under dirt.
Maggiolo says the ground was so unstable that crews were unable to safely reach the worker.
He says the family has been notified but the worker’s identity is not being released at this time.
D.C. Police and other outside agencies, including OSHA, will now be investigating what led to the trench collapse.
Crews will be conducting shoring operations to try to reach the victim but it could take some time.
“We will be proceeding at an extremely slow and cautious pace because we do not need nor want to put anyone else in danger,” said Maggiolo.
No one else was injured.
We continue to conduct shoring operations on Dexter St to stabilize the trench to ensure safety of victim & rescuers. pic.twitter.com/l4AGFgnERT
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) February 28, 2017
Copyright 2017 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (photo: DC Fire and EMS)
