Construction Worker Killed When Trench Collapses In Grosse Pointe Woods
GROSSE POINTE WOODS (WWJ) - A construction worker was killed and a police officer was hurt when a trench collapsed Wednesday in Grosse Pointe Woods.
It happened around noon while the man, who was reported to be around 50 years old, was working as part of a small crew digging a sewer line for a new home on Fairway St. in the area of Mack and Moross.
According to a city administrator, the man was trapped when the trench caved in, initially burying him up to his neck.
Grosse Pointe Woods Public Safety officers rushed to the scene to help.
"Officers were able to get into the hole and start hand digging to the point where we were able to free his head and partial chest area and get oxygen to him," said Pubic Safety Director Al Fincham. "He continued to respond to our conversations with him; he was holding the rescuer's hand, and we were making headway...we were able to free both his arms at that point."
That's when the trench caved in again.
"As a result of the secondary collapse the gentleman was completely buried," said Fincham."At that point we had several officers that were in the hole that we able to get out."
One officer sustained spinal and leg and injuries while he was working with the department's police chief to try to dig the man out. He was taken to a local hospital.
The construction worker died, police said, before rescuers were able to free him. It was estimated he was buried 15 to 20 feet down.
Authorities said it appears there was no protection in the trench in the event of a collapse.
Police from Royal Oak, Southfield and Bloomfield Township assisted at the scene.
No names have been released.
