By Rita Reith
Indianapolis (IN) firefighters rescued a man trapped about eight feet down after a trench collapse Wednesday at S. Mitthoeffer and Rawles Ave.
After asking his co-worker to exit the trench, four firefighters from Station 43 alternated turns in the trench and began digging in the location the co-worker provided. Other firefighters commandeered available materials from the construction site and established rudimentary shoring for the trench.
The firefighters in the trench were able to verbally communicate with the man, and hear muffled sounds, but did not visibly see him. Within 5-6 minutes of digging they were able to create a hole large enough for fresh air to enter the space where they believed man was located. Within 20 minutes, the four firefighters from Station 43 had the man’s head completely uncovered.
The aggressive actions of the four members from Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD) EG43 and LD43 clearly gave this victim the best chance at survival and prevented critical injury.
The man told firefighters that he was “fine” but the dirt was heavy and that he had lost feeling in his legs. Station 43 firefighters stated he was surprisingly calm despite being buried. The patient told firefighters that he had been in the trench about 30 minutes before it collapsed and was completely buried for about 40 minutes before IFD arrived. He stated that as the dirt fell around him, he buffered his face with his arms, which created a pocket of space underneath the dirt. He was able to breathe enough air to stay alert but was reported as having difficulty breathing at the time IFD was dispatched.
The IFD Collapse Rescue Team arrived at 11:41 a.m. and continued the digging and shoring efforts needed to remove the patient from the trench. He was placed on oxygen (O2) at 11:42 a.m. Removal of the dirt in its muddy, compact, and heavy state proved the biggest hurdle, along with the continued need to build out and adjust shoring efforts as dirt was removed from the trench. Additional manpower from Hancock County, use of shovels, hand tools, an air knife and the Greenfield Vac Truck were vital to the successful completion of this mission. IFD crews rotated in and out of the trench in 20-30 minute increments and were assisted in the rotation by the Hancock County team upon their arrival. As the patient was able, he assisted rescuers with removing dirt from around his body, both by hand and with a shovel. This was an all hands-on deck mitigation. Atmospheric monitoring was conducted during the rescue process and proved normal throughout. The monitoring was vital due to the equipment being used (vac truck and heated ventilation).
With hypothermia a genuine concern, firefighters placed a turnout coat on the patient to keep him warm. Eye protection, a helmet, and water for hydration was also provided. At IFD’s request, IMPD brought a heated ventilation system to supply heat to the trench.
At 2:12 p.m., the man was reported 95% freed, with the exception of his leg which was pinned underneath and against the pipe he had been installing. At 2:38 p.m., he was freed and assisted up and out of the trench. The total extrication time was three hours and 23 minutes.
The patient was transported, checked for injuries, and released.
RITA L. REITH is a battalion chief with the Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD) and serves as the agency’s public information officer.
