PACIFIC PALISADES—Firefighters and rescue personnel made an attempt to save the life of a worker on a collapsing trench who died on Thursday, July 29. Devin Gales, spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department, reported that the man had been working on the 8×8, 11-foot trench, waterproofing the area. In doing so, he became the victim of the unexpected cave in. He was trapped in a three-story below grade single family dwelling.
Before firefighters responded to the scene, the victim was trapped underneath a deep hole of dirt, then the 911 call was made. An attempt to rescue the victim was made at 10:58 a.m. He was described as a 24-year-old male. “All personnel worked diligently and swiftly to try and dig out the man, but the un-shored, large amounts of dirt and the depth hole proved to be extremely challenging,” stated the LAFD press release.
The trench rescue happened at 602 N. Palisades Drive, where there were 86 firefighters and rescue present for over five hours to recover the body of the worker who died on the scene. The L.A. County Coroner gave asphyxia as the cause of death. CAL-OSHA is continuing an investigation as to what caused the incident.
There were approximately 10 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, seven LAFD Rescue Ambulances, three Urban Search and Rescue Units, one Rehab Unit, two Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, two Division Chief Officer Command Teams, one Dozer Team, and one Utility Resource under the direction of Assistant Chief T. Manning, in the attempt to save the worker.
