TRENCH COLLAPSES ON WORKER

Call Time: 2:00 p.m. Thursday April 2, 2009
LaGrange Township – Phase three of the construction at Community Park in LaGrange was delayed slightly today after one of the workers got trapped in a trench.

Firefighters were called to the site after a Township employee, George Howard, became trapped in a trench. Chief James Rader of LaGrange Township Fire and Rescue said Howard was trapped up to his knees in dirt and mud. “When our guys arrived on scene other workers from the site had been able to free the victim from the trench. He had been trapped from the knees down. He wasn’t injured at all – just a sore foot. We did call for the Technical Rescue Team but we were able to cancel them pretty quick. We called for them automatically because I knew it was going to be one of the Township employees because I knew they were going to be working back here today.”

Rader said that the workers were doing the infrastructure water line for the Community Park. “Stage three is going on right now, they are getting all the underground utilities done for the future restrooms and concession stand.”

Another worker, who had run for help, was transported to the hospital after he started feeling faint.

Howard said that he feels fine now and is grateful for his fellow employees. “I want to thank them all again for their quick work to get me out of there safely. They are not only good people to work with, they are also good friends.”

When asked how the collapse occurred, Rader said; “you can’t predict the earth.”


PHOTO GALLERY