Story by & Photos by
JOHN CARR

On Saturday, July 27, at approximately 10:00 a.m., members of the Aurora (CO) Fire Department were alerted to an unconscious worker in a 20 foot deep trench. A contractor was installing a new water main below grade at the intersection of Chambers Road and 13th Street.. It was reported that one of the workers in the trench was struck on the head by a large piece of equipment. Initial reports were that the victim may have died.

Aurora Engine 5, Heavy Rescue 8, Trench Rescue 8, Battalion 1 and Medical Supervisor 2, along with an ambulance and supervisor from Rural Metro, were dispatched. Arriving first Engine 5 found the unconscious worker. He was at the base of a 15' X 40' trench. Knowing the difficulty in removing the victim Truck 2 was also dispatched. Rescuers planned to use rigging attached to the ladder truck's boom to hoist the injured worker to safety. With the expected delays a medivac helicopter was also requested. It landed across the street at a local high school.

Shoring of the trench was more than adequate and there was no threat of a collapse. Firefighters entered the hole using a ladder belonging to the contractor. They stabilized the victim and loaded him into a Stokes basket. He was hoisted by rope to the surface where he was walked to the waiting helicopter. Flown to a nearby trauma center the unnamed worker was reported to be in serious condition, and died the following day.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation by the Aurora Police and Fire Departments.