Construction worker rescued after being trapped in 12-foot trench for hours

CAPE CORAL, Fla.—A construction project for a new Lee Health facility nearly turned tragic Monday afternoon when a worker became trapped in a deep trench, sparking a massive, multi-agency rescue mission.

The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. at a construction site for a two-story medical building. 

According to the Cape Coral Fire Department, the worker was helping position a concrete pipe in a ditch—estimated to be between 10 and 12 feet deep—when the earth beneath or behind him shifted. The sudden movement caused him to lose his balance and slip, wedging him between the heavy pipe and the dirt wall.

At 3:15 p.m., first responders rescued the construction worker. The worker has been transferred to an ambulance and is being transported to a nearby hospital to be treated for serious injuries.

A Race Against Time

For nearly two hours, the man remained trapped as nearly a dozen emergency agencies rushed to the scene. The rescue was a delicate operation that required precision to prevent further soil collapse.

Video captured by a nearby neighbor showed the moment the mission reached its successful conclusion. Crews worked in unison to lift the man from the depths of the trench on a stretcher. He was immediately moved to a waiting ambulance and transported to Gulf Coast Medical Center in serious condition.

"The outcome was extremely positive for what a risky situation that it was," said Andrea Schuch, Public Information Specialist for the Cape Coral Fire Department. "Our best wishes for a quick recovery go out to the gentleman who was endangered today."

The Danger of Trench Collapses

While this rescue ended with the worker alive, experts warn that the odds are rarely in the victim's favor. James Siemenski, a Special Operations member with the Tucson Fire Department who has worked similar trench rescues, noted that these environments offer zero margin for error.

"Usually the odds are against you," Siemenski said. "There's no second chances—You make a small mistake [and] this is not a scenario where you can fix it next time."

 He says getting the person free is just the first step of survival.

"If he's buried from the waist down, it's great he's breathing, but the blood isn't circulating, and it's creating toxic gases. Those gases will be released in the body, and they will start IVs in the trench to help counteract those gases."

"It's one of those career calls that doesn't happen often. It's most likely only going to happen one time," said Siminski.

Trench Fatality Statistics (Nationwide)

According to OSHA data, while these incidents are high-risk, there has been a recent downward trend in fatalities:

In 2024, 13 trench collapse deaths were reported. Compared to 15 in 2023 and 39 in 2022.

Investigation Pending

Whenever a collapse occurs at a professional job site, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is typically notified to ensure all safety regulations and shoring protocols are followed.

As of Monday evening, the Cape Coral Fire Department could not confirm if an official OSHA investigation has been launched. A representative for OSHA also declined to confirm an active investigation at this stage.