MAY 21, 2015
COVINGTON, LA (WVUE)
One worker was killed and another was trapped but rescued
Thursday following a trench collapse in Covington.
The incident happened at about 12:30 p.m. on Pinnacle Parkway just off of Highway 21. The workers were digging a 10-foot trench to be used for sewer and water when, for unknown reasons, it collapsed.
The incident happened at about 12:30 p.m. on Pinnacle Parkway just off of Highway 21. The workers were digging a 10-foot trench to be used for sewer and water when, for unknown reasons, it collapsed.
Most likely there were no braces to keep the walls from collapsing. This is a contractor’s fault and he/she will
be in serious trouble for this death and injury of the poor workers.
Baton Rouge resident Isidro Cigarroa Martinez, who turned 24
last week, was killed. Firefighters and other emergency responders worked for
hours to recover his body from the site. An autopsy will be performed Friday.
The surviving man was airlifted to University Hospital.
Coroner Charles Preston said he was alert and talking and will likely be OK.
His name has not been released.
The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office and the federal
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are investigating the
incident.
Unfortunately contractors always cut corners to either save
money or to expedite the work because they are behind, and so on. The poor workers are the ones who pay the
price with their own blood. RIP.