SAN ANTONIO – The Bexar County Medical Examiner's office has identified the name of the person killed in a trench collapse on the city's far West Side Thursday.
36-year-old David Williams was trapped and killed by the collapse.
The San Antonio Fire Department responded to a call around 4:30 p.m. regarding the collapse at a private development project in the 1500 block of Classic Drive.
Three co-workers had attempted to dig Williams out but were removed from the trench due to worsening conditions.
OSHA is investigating the incident.
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(Original Story)
A recovery operation concluded more than four hours after a private development project worker in a project unrelated to the city of San Antonio was trapped and killed after a trench collapse on the city’s far West Side, authorities said.
“This soil that we are operating in is clay. It's some of the worst conditions, as far as tying to dig somebody out (goes),” fire Chief Charles Hood said.
The Fire Department responded to a call about 4:30 p.m. Thursday in the 1500 block of Classic Drive.
“Initial reports, he was trapped at least to his neck, but with that amount of weight, you're not allowed to breathe, so you’re basically going to asphyxiate,” Hood said.
Three co-workers attempted to dig the victim out prior to the Fire Department’s arrival, but were removed from the trench due to worsening conditions.
“Co-workers are grief stricken. Co-workers were obviously upset that we ordered them out of the trench, but again, we can't lose three or four other people in that situation,” Hood said.
The Fire Department’s technical rescue teams worked to shore up the walls of the trench to prevent it from collapsing further.
Loved ones of the victim were at the scene earlier. They were visibly upset and were directed to chaplains to help with the grieving process.
OSHA is investigating the incident further.
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