BETHEL, CT - Just after 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, May 11th, Stony Hill and Bethel volunteers were alerted to a reported trench collapse with a worker trapped on Budd Drive.

Stony Hill Rescue 2 arrived on scene and confirmed that a worker was buried up to his chin, approximately 12-13 feet below ground. First-in units hastily worked to clear dirt from the victim's head to keep his airway clear. A full rescue assignment was requested from the City of Danbury, including their rescue company and a trench rescue trailer.

Crews built and installed shoring to support the unstable soil. Dirt was removed with shovels and buckets until the arrival of the City of Danbury Public Works vacuum truck. The victim was conscious and talking throughout the entire incident. Once a sufficient amount of dirt was removed, a Nuvance Health Paramedic started an IV on the victim and pushed medication to begin combating effects from possible crush related injuries.

A decision was made by paramedics on scene and Danbury Hospital doctors that the victim needed to be flown straight to Yale New Haven Hospital for treatment. Stony Hill Engine 3, along with West Redding Engine 21 secured the landing zone at Rubino Field on Hawleyville Road.

At 3:40 P.M., the patient was freed from the dirt, placed in a stokes basket, removed from the hole and brought to Stony Hill A3 to be transported to the landing zone. While being removed, the victim repeatedly thanked the rescuers for an unbelievable outcome given the circumstances; an outcome not possible without the quick and professional response of our mutual aid partner, Danbury Fire Department.

The entire operation took just over two-and-a-half hours. During the incident, Brookfield Rescue 3 stood by at Stony Hill Fire Department while Brookfield EMS handled multiple runs in town. Ridgefield Rescue 7 and Dodgingtown Engine 221 covered Bethel's South Street station.