Emergency crews responded to a reported trench collapse in Lake City Wednesday afternoon after a worker became trapped in an excavation.
According to the Lake City Fire Company’s Facebook post, firefighters and West County Paramedics were dispatched around 1 p.m. to the Hall Avenue area following reports that a person had been buried in a trench. Initial information indicated the victim was trapped with only their head visible.
The severity of the incident prompted the response of additional fire departments and specialized rescue teams, including the Erie County Technical Rescue (USAR) Team.
However, while emergency crews were on their way, workers at the scene were able to free the trapped individual from the trench.
Upon arrival, first responders confirmed the victim had been removed from the excavation. Firefighters and EMS personnel then assisted with patient care, packaging, and transferring the individual to an ambulance for further medical treatment.
Several neighboring departments, including Springfield, Girard, Cranesville, Perry Hi-Way, and the county USAR team, were also dispatched to assist. Those units were placed back in service after Lake City personnel arrived and verified the victim was no longer trapped.
No information on the worker’s condition has been released. The incident remains under investigation.