A construction worker was trapped for more than two hours in a 12-foot-deep trench after it collapsed on him in the Rosedale neighborhood Wednesday afternoon.
The man, whose identity was not available, was awake and alert as firefighters rescued him, and even helped free himself once most of the dirt was cleared, said Denver Fire Department spokesman Phil Champagne. He was taken to Denver Health Medical Center, where he was in stable condition.
The 33-year-old was buried up to his chest in dirt after the hole collapsed, Champagne said. He may have jumped into the hole to retrieve a tape measure when the walls caved in.
The walls of the trench had not been shored up with supportive trench boxes, which is required by federal law, Champagne said. The dirt around the trench was also very sandy, making it prone to collapsing, he added.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will probably be investigating the accident, said Assistant Fire Chief Greg Champlin.
“If this had been shored, we wouldn’t be here today,” Champlin said.
Workers were getting ready to put the supports in when the man jumped into the hole, said Daniel McVay, who was working on the site.
The construction company, O’Connor Plumbing, could not be reached for comment.
Staff writer Alicia P.Q. Wittmeyer can be reached at 303-820-1201
