‘A well-oiled machine:’ Worker rescued after trench collapses in Charleroi

By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter

BREAKING NEWS UPDATE:

After several tense hours, first responders cheered and clapped when they were able to rescue a man who was trapped in a trench that collapsed in Charleroi.

The rescue effort on McKean Avenue began Thursday evening and continued overnight into early Friday morning.

“It was just a total, like, a well-oiled machine working in there,” said Charleroi Fire Chief Robert Whiten Jr. “And it paid off. The individual walked out, didn’t have to be carried out.”

The man was taken to a Pittsburgh-area hospital after he was rescued from the hole around 1:30 a.m.

Whiten said the man had a possible broken ankle.

See video from the heroic rescue taken by Staff Writer Taylor Brown on the Mon Valley Independent’s Facebook page.

Editor’s note: We’ll have more details as this story develops today. As of press time, rescue efforts were still underway at the scene of the collapse. Here is an earlier version of Staff Writer Taylor Brown’s story.

Charleroi firefighters were assisted by numerous departments from the region at the scene of a trench collapse in the 800 block of McKean Avenue last night. Jenn Codeluppi / Mon Valley Independent

First responders from across four counties worked tirelessly Thursday night to save a man trapped deep underground after a trench collapsed in front of Davies Ford in Charleroi, as his family, neighbors and local leaders anxiously waited for updates.

As of press time, numerous first responders were still working well into the early morning hours today to free the man who became trapped in debris up to his chest at least 15-feet underground while he was working inside of a trench.

The collapse occurred around 8:30 p.m.

Charleroi police immediately shut down the area between 9th and Fallowfield and 8th and McKean as emergency crews rushed to the scene.

Authorities said the man was pinned beneath a small excavator after the trench gave way.

Bujanowski Towing stabilized the equipment while firefighters focused on shoring up the trench walls and supplying the worker with oxygen to keep him stable.

Officials said the man was buried up to his chest but was breathing.

Witnesses reported he was responsive and speaking to rescuers.

The trapped worker appeared to be covered from his chest down, but was talking and “in good spirits” as rescue efforts continued, Charleroi Fire Chief Robert Whiten Jr. said at the scene to media crews at a staging area.

“The EMS, and I have a paramedic in my department, who have been down there giving him IVs and all the things they need to do to keep him going, and keep him relaxed, giving him some hope that we’re going to get you out of there,” Whiten said. “It’s going to take a little bit of time.”

Whiten said there is also a mini excavator in the hole, but he did not believe it would prevent rescue teams from being able to reach the trapped person.

“I don’t know what it was used for, what they were doing,” Whiten said. “It’s solid. That’s why we have the tow company here. They got the machine secured, and then we’re working around the bucket in the machine. We don’t want that coming down on us either.”

Columbia Gas told WTAE-TV that work was not being done to a gas line. A spokesperson believes this is a sewer line project.

Council President Kristin Hopkins and Councilman Jerry Jericho, along with former mayor Nancy Ellis, patiently waited on scene for updates as first responders worked.

Jericho noted Columbia Gas had a third-party contractor in the area but borough officials don’t believe the company was actively working when the accident occurred.

Specialized trench rescue teams from Peters Township and Westmoreland County joined firefighters from Allegheny, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties. Using ropes, ladders, and heavy equipment, they worked methodically to secure the scene.

After more than three hours, firefighters formed an assembly line to remove dirt by hand and bucket, aided by a VacCom truck from Monessen.

With their hands and shovels covered in dirt, crews carefully cleared debris while a Carroll Township ladder truck equipped with ropes stood ready to help lift the man out.

A LifeFlight medical helicopter had already landed nearby with a doctor on board.

Departments on scene included Charleroi, Monessen, Lock 4, Jefferson, Peters Township, Carroll Township, Bentleyville, Fallowfield, Rostraver, North Belle Vernon, New Alexandria, Forbes Road and Lloydsville fire companies. EMS crews from Rostraver/West Newton, Murrysville Medic 1, Sewickley, Fayette EMS, Ambulance and Chair, and others also responded. The Authority of the Borough of Charleroi was also called in to assist. Officials confirmed ABC was not involved in the accident.

Additional support came from Charleroi Regional Police, Washington County HAZMAT, Pennsylvania Search and Rescue, and the Salvation Army Disaster Services.

“We are just praying the man gets out safely and we’re so grateful in times like this to have firefighters who are so skilled and brave,” Hopkins said. “We certainly have the best of the best and are also thankful for all of the surrounding communities who are here tonight to help.”

The man’s identity had not been released as of press time as crews were still working to free him from debris just before midnight.