Trench collapses, sending one man to the hospital
UPDATED 6:57 PM CDT Sep 03, 2015
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa —
A trench collapsed in Council Bluffs Thursday morning resulting in one man being taken to the hospital.
A new sewer line was being installed near 200 Adrian Avenue when the wall collapsed. A worker was buried up to his chest and co-workers had to dig him out.
We’re told the man is an employee of McIntosh Plumbing.
Fortunately, his coworkers were able to dig much of the dirt away from him before rescuers arrived.
“His coworkers had taken care of most of the dirt removal prior to the crews’ arrival. They just were able to take him, put a backboard on him and take him out of the trench on the backboard,” said Assistant Fire Chief Chris Sorenson.
The man is expected to be okay. The trench he was working in ranged from about four to 12 feet deep.
City officials still need to determine what caused the collapse, and if anything should have been done to prevent it.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the incident.
