Worker Killed in Los Angeles Trench Collapse

Feb. 9, 2011
A total of 65 Los Angeles firefighters -- including the department's USAR team -- responded to a trench collapse that killed a worker on Tuesday.
A total of 65 Los Angeles firefighters -- including the department's USAR team -- responded to a trench collapse that killed a worker on Tuesday.

The incident occurred at 3931 Oeste Avenue in Studio City at approximately 2:51 p.m., according to a department press release.

Crews arrived to find the worker unconscious and not breathing, buried up to his neck where a hole for a sewer line at a residential construction site was being dug on a hillside.

The man in his 30s was working near the 8-foot deep by 2-foot wide trench when the collapse occurred.

Medical oxygen and breathing air lines were readied as the soil was shored to protect both the patient and the responders. Crews were able to access the worker and determined he was beyond medical help and declared him dead at approximately 3:10 p.m.

More than three hours after responding, the crews were able to remove the man and placed his remains in custody of the Los Angeles County Coroner.

No other injuries were reported in the incident.

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