Construction worker trapped under sand pile rescued

MARSHFIELD, Mass. (WHDH) -- A construction worker was rescued by Marshfield firefighters after he became trapped under a pile of sand and dirt Monday.

The construction worker was standing near a trench when the ground suddenly gave way.

Witnesses at the scene told firefighters in those first few moments only his hand was visible.

The 36-year-old victim, an employee of J. Derenzo Company, which is doing excavation work at Marshfield High School, was in serious trouble, but his co-workers worked quickly to get as much of him uncovered as possible.

The Marshfield Fire Department rushed to the scene shortly before noon Monday. They found the worker at the bottom of a pit about 12 feet deep.

“The fire department was in there assisting the guys that were already on scene, which from my understanding were already attempting to remove him from the sand. The fire department assisted with fully immobilizing him to a back board,” said Ron Allard, Marshfield Fire Department.

A large excavator was used to pull the stretcher up out of the pit, which was dug to install utilities.

Marshfield's superintendent of schools released a statement saying, "The Occupational Safety and Health Administration Agency (OSHA) has been contacted and is sending representatives to…investigate the incident."

The superintendent says there was a trench box in the hole which is supposed to shore it up and keep it from collapsing. It's unclear what went wrong.

The unidentified employee was treated and released at South Shore Hospital. He was not working at the site Tuesday; he's said to be on light duty for the time being.

“He seemed to be breathing okay, doing fine…He was a little shaken up but overall seemed in pretty good condition,” said Allard.

The company the employee works for had no comment.