Partly Cloudy 41°

SHARE

Workers Conscious When Rescued From Collapsed Trench In Rye

RYE, N.Y. - The two workers pulled from a 7-foot trench that collapsed Thursday were in pain but conscious when they were rescued, officials said.

A trench collapsed outside a Rye home trapping two workers Thursday.

Photo Credit: Brian Donnelly
First responders at the scene of a collapsed trench Thursday in Rye.

First responders at the scene of a collapsed trench Thursday in Rye.

Photo Credit: Brian Donnelly
Emergency workers use a City of Rye Vac-truck to clear a collapsed trench that trapped two men.

Emergency workers use a City of Rye Vac-truck to clear a collapsed trench that trapped two men.

Photo Credit: Brian Donnelly
Emergency workers use a City of Rye Vac-truck to clear a collapsed trench that trapped two men.

Emergency workers use a City of Rye Vac-truck to clear a collapsed trench that trapped two men.

Photo Credit: Brian Donnelly
Emergency personnel pulled two men trapped in a collapsed trench with rope hung from a ladder placed against the home.

Emergency personnel pulled two men trapped in a collapsed trench with rope hung from a ladder placed against the home.

Photo Credit: Brian Donnelly
Emergency workers use a City of Rye Vac-truck to clear a collapsed trench that trapped two men.

Emergency workers use a City of Rye Vac-truck to clear a collapsed trench that trapped two men.

Photo Credit: Brian Donnelly
Emergency workers use a City of Rye Vac-truck to clear a collapsed trench that trapped two men.

Emergency workers use a City of Rye Vac-truck to clear a collapsed trench that trapped two men.

Photo Credit: Brian Donnelly
Emergency workers use a City of Rye Vac-truck to clear a collapsed trench that trapped two men.

Emergency workers use a City of Rye Vac-truck to clear a collapsed trench that trapped two men.

Photo Credit: Brian Donnelly
Emergency workers use a City of Rye Vac-truck to clear a collapsed trench that trapped two men.

Emergency workers use a City of Rye Vac-truck to clear a collapsed trench that trapped two men.

Photo Credit: Brian Donnelly
Photo Credit: Brian Donnelly
Photo Credit: Brian Donnelly
Emergency workers use a City of Rye Vac-truck to clear a collapsed trench that trapped two men.

Emergency workers use a City of Rye Vac-truck to clear a collapsed trench that trapped two men.

Photo Credit: Brian Donnelly
Emergency workers use a City of Rye Vac-truck to clear a collapsed trench that trapped two men.

Emergency workers use a City of Rye Vac-truck to clear a collapsed trench that trapped two men.

Photo Credit: Brian Donnelly
by Brian Donnelly

"They clearly wanted out of that hole as fast as possible," said Lt. Kurt Tietjen of the Rye Fire Department.

Both men were taken to nearby hospitals, officials said.

The two workers were apparently attempting to repair a leak in the foundation of a home at 15 Bradford Ave. when the collapse occurred, officials said. The homeowner was there at the time of the collapse, Rye Mayor Joe Sack said, and immediately called 911.

"Luckily, we have the best first responders in the world in Rye," Sack said.

The collapse occurred at about 11:15 a.m., officials said. The first victim was pulled from the hole at about 12:20 p.m. and the second at about 12:43 p.m.

The two men had been buried up to their mid-chest, Tietjen said. 

"They were on oxygen relatively quick, but in no point were they in respiratory duress," he said.

Rye officials requested assistance from the New Rochelle collapse unit as well as the White Plains and Westchester County technical rescue teams.

Responders from Port Chester and Scarsdale also assisted.

Representatives from OSHA were at the scene Thursday afternoon to determine how to cover the collapsed trench.

to follow Daily Voice Rye and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE