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3 rescued, 1 killed in trench collapse at work site near Brier Creek

Dozens of first responders worked through the afternoon Wednesday to free four workers trapped when a trench collapsed near Brier Creek. Three of four workers trapped were rescued; the body of the fourth was recovered around 4:15 p.m.
Posted 2020-01-15T16:27:52+00:00 - Updated 2020-01-16T15:24:45+00:00
Tense day ends with three hurt, one dead in trench collapse

Dozens of first responders worked through the afternoon Wednesday to free four workers trapped when a trench collapsed near Brier Creek.

Three of four workers trapped were rescued; the body of the fourth was recovered around 4:15 p.m.

The trench collapsed around 11 a.m. at a gas station construction site at 4209 Corners Parkway, near the intersection of TW Alexander Drive and Glenwood Avenue.

One of the workers was able to escape the trench on his own, authorities said. One was in the trench up to his thighs and was able to walk with assistance after being rescued. Another worker was in trapped up to his chest in the trench. Sky 5 footage showed him being taken out of the trench alive on a gurney around 12:30 p.m.

Durham Fire Chief Chris Iannuzzi said around 12:45 p.m. that he believed the fourth worker had been completely covered when the trench collapsed.

Iannuzzi said that, while he didn't know how deep the trench was before it collapsed, it was 6 to 8 feet deep afterwards.

Richard Ray, battalion chief for the Durham Fire Department, said after the first three workers were freed, the process to reach the fourth slowed as a precaution, to protect the rescuers.

"It took quite a bit of time at that point. It slowed the process down due to the dangers associated with the trench collapse," he said. "We are doing things safely, following protocols, that kind of stuff.

It took a bit more time to get him out due to his position as well. It made it an extended recovery.”

Multiple teams responded to the collapse, including the Durham and Raleigh fire departments and the Wake County EMS. The construction site is in Wake County but within Durham city limits.

Andy Sannipoli, Durham assistant fire chief, said different teams often train together and go through hundreds of hours of preparation for rescue operations.

Many of the responders are on the state's urban search and rescue team.

Erik Flores is a supervisor on a construction team that wasn't working on the site. He was nearby when the trench collapsed, though, and came over when he saw the commotion.

“During this time, when it’s all raining and stuff, the ground is super muddy,” he said. “Once it starts to clump together and everything, when people start piling it up, it does get very heavy. It’s way heavier than actual dirt because of all the mud and water.

“When it collapsed on them, it’s pretty hard to breathe down there,” Flores continued. “I hope they’re OK, but that’s all dangerous conditions that they’re working in, with all the mud and water that they’re in.”

Search and rescue team responds to trench collapse near Brier Creek
Search and rescue team responds to trench collapse near Brier Creek

Officials did not confirm which companies were involved in digging the trench. DR Mozeley Construction Group, based in Charlotte, had trucks and prominent signage at the site.

The company specializes in building gas stations, and its website says it’s completed more than 2,000 projects successfully.

DR Mozeley issued a statement Thursday morning saying the workers involved in the collapse were employed by a subcontractor, but it didn't identify that company.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the workers and their families affected by this incident," DR Mozeley said in the statement. "The safety of all employees and subcontractors on our construction sites is our highest priority, and we are deeply committed to following all industry safety standards. We will be working with the appropriate agencies to identify the cause of this incident."

WRAL Investigates looked into DR Mozeley's background and found two violations in the past five years:

  • In January 2019, the company was initially fined $3,775 for aerial lift and fall protection violations for a project in Wytheville, Va. The fine was lowered to $2,600.
  • In February 2015, it was fined $600 for fall protection violations at a gas station construction site on Guess Road in Durham.

Labor investigators look for key factors for protection of workers, including:

  • Proper slope or trench box protection
  • Soil type, especially after rain
  • A qualified person to detect hazards and supervise workers
  • Soil placed at least 2 feet away from any trench

Dexter Tart owns Eagle Rock Concrete, a construction company not involved in the incident. He said he understands the risks inherent in construction sites.

“You just train and teach your employees: don’t take unnecessary risks,” Tart said. "Work safe, slow and steady and pray for the best.”

“Somebody’s family’s changed forever,” he said.

Dexter Tart, owner Eagle Rock Concrete, prays during a rescue operation at a construction site. Eagle Rock Concrete was not involved in the incident.
Dexter Tart, owner Eagle Rock Concrete, prays during a rescue operation at a construction site. Eagle Rock Concrete was not involved in the incident.

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