Construction Worker Injured in Trench Collapse

South Burlington Fire Department

Office of the City Fire Marshal

575 Dorset St.

South Burlington, VT  05403

846-4134

 For Immediate Release

 December 8, 2014 

Construction Worker Injured in Trench Collapse: 

This morning at 08:41 hrs., South Burlington Fire Department responded to the Orchard School at 2 Baldwin Ave.,  for a report of an injured worker.  Fire fighters arrived on scene in less than two minutes, and were directed to the rear of the school. There, firefighters found an 3 foot wide by 5-6 foot deep by 30 foot long trench being excavated for a drainage project.  A twenty foot section of the trench’s walls had collapsed in on a worker.  Workers at the scene stated that when the trench walls collapsed,  their co-worker had been pinned against a drainage pipe he was helping to set.  As Firefighters were arriving on scene, the patient with the help of his coworkers,  was able to free himself from the wet dirt that had trapped him. His injuries prevented him from moving any further.  Firefighters conducted a site safety assessment, stabilized, then entered the trench. They were able to quickly treated the patient’s his injuries prior to removing from him the trench.   The patient was transported by South Burlington Firefighter/Paramedics to University of Vermont Medical Center for further evaluation and treatment.  The construction worker is employed by J. Hutchins Inc. of Richmond, VT.  The excavation contractor is hired by the South Burlington School District to improve a drainage behind the Orchard School, and where extending a drain pipe from an existing storm water catch basin,  at the time of the accident.   There were no other injuries.   The incident was concluded at 09:15 hrs.  For further information please contact DC Terry Francis @ 846-4134 or 363-4656                                                                        

END