Big Tree Responds to Fatal Trench Collapse

March 22, 2005:

At approximately 15:00 hrs., the Big Tree Volunteer Fire Company was alerted to a construction accident at the intersection of Fairview and Marlow in the Town of Hamburg. Initial dispatch reports stated that a male patient was unconscious at the bottom of a trench. Upon arrival, First Assistant Chief Christopher Zak assessed the scene and found one male patient buried in the trench. A worker from the construction crew was attempting to dig the victim out. Assistant Chief Zak ordered the worker out of the trench for his own safety and requested mutual-aid assistance from the Newton-Abbott Volunteer Fire Company and the City of Buffalo Fire Department Rescue 1. Because of the way the patient was buried, Assistant Chief Zak termed the incident a recovery operation and prepared for a long methodical recovery process.

As crews continued to assess the situation, it was determined that the trench was very unstable because of the moist soil conditions. Additionally, a large overhang of pavement and dirt lacked support from beneath. Until the trench was shored up and the overhanging hazard removed, firefighters were prohibited from entering the trench.

Although all three companies on scene were equipped with heavy rescue units, the Home Depot was contacted and requested to deliver plywood, lumber and an assortment of tools. All rescue equipment was staged near the scene and crews went to work constructing shoring panels. Meanwhile, a back-hoe was brought in to remove the overhanging pavement and remove some of the clay and dirt surrounding the victim. As evening fell, crews made progress shoring up the trench using fabricated panels and pneumatic struts. Once the trench was deemed safe to enter, firefighters took turns digging with small hand tools and their bare hands to free the victim from the dirt. Dozens of firefighters worked for over five hours to free the victim while family members and onlookers helplessly stood by.

Shortly after 20:00 hrs., the patient was freed and brought out of the trench. The 34 year old patient was pronounced dead by the medical examiner. Crews remained on scene for several hours cleaning up and securing the trench. Investigators from OSHA and the Town of Hamburg Police Department are investigating the accident.