Bethesda, Md., trench collapse traps 2 workers, rescued after technical response
Two construction workers were pulled to safety on March 10 after a trench collapsed at a job site in Bethesda, Maryland, trapping them beneath soil and triggering a major emergency response.
According to a report by FOX 5 DC, the incident occurred shortly after 12:15 p.m. behind a residence on Kentbury Drive near Wisconsin Avenue, where crews were called to respond to a trench cave-in at an active construction site.
When first responders arrived, they found the workers partially buried in a narrow trench estimated to be 10 to 12 feet deep and only a few feet wide. The collapse left both individuals trapped with soil covering them up to around their waists.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue officials said the workers remained conscious and able to communicate, but rescuers were concerned about the risk of compression injuries as the soil pressed against their bodies.
Emergency crews stabilized the area by shoring up the trench walls and pumping fresh air into the confined space while preparing to extract the workers. Roads surrounding the rescue scene were temporarily closed as responders worked to secure the site.
Both workers were ultimately rescued during the operation, according to FOX 5 DC, which reported that firefighters moved quickly to remove the trapped individuals after stabilizing the trench and bringing in specialized equipment.
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