Minnetonka Trench Collapse Traps Workers Under Soil For 20 Minutes
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Officials in Minnetonka say two road workers were buried in soil for about 20 minutes after a trench collapsed Monday morning.
According to Minnetonka fire officials, the collapse was reported at 10:01 a.m. at a construction site near 1900 Oakland Road.
Upon arrival, police and fire responders learned two men were buried. One victim was buried up to his waist while the other victim was completely covered.
By 10:24 a.m., both victims were removed and taken to the Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC). The victim who had been completely buried was unresponsive and in very serious condition, according to a city official, while the other victim is in moderate condition.
According to an initial investigation, the victims were prepping the area for water utility work that's part of the city's street reconstruction.
"When we arrived, the other victim was responsive," Minnetonka Fire Department Chief John Vance said. "He was attempting to rescue the first victim. Here were other workers from the site down in the trench attempting rescue their coworkers."
HCMC will later release the names of the victims and give an update on their condition.
An inspection report from the Minnesota Department of Labor Monday afternoon said "the employee was working in a location exposed to potential cave-in hazards of near vertical walls."