Fire department rescue crews saved a man trapped in a trench collapse at a construction site off Doctors Path.
The man was working on a cesspool installation at a new home on AJ Court when the walls of the trench caved in on him and trapped him at the bottom of a hole at least 20 feet deep, according to Riverhead Fire Department spokesperson Bill Sanok.
Riverhead Fire Department volunteers Riverhead Police department removed sand with shovels and buckets, careful to avoid any further collapse of the walls of the trench. Crews worked for nearly two hours to free the victim and bring him up out of the hole.
He was conscious and alert when rescuers were able to bring him up out of the hole. He could be heard thanking his rescuers over and over again.
He was flown by Suffolk Police helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment, according to RVAC chief Rod Richardson at the scene. The helicopter was standing by at the Riverhead Fire Department’s nearby training facility. Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps treated the man at the scene and were bringing him by ambulance to the helicopter for transport, Richardson said.
Several area departments responded to assist Riverhead, including special teams from Hampton Bays, Hagerman and Selden fire departments. The Brookhaven Town Technical Rescue Task Force also responded. Sanok estimated there were over 100 volunteers on scene. The rescue call came in at about 3:15, he said.
Riverhead Supervisor Laura Jens-Smith went to the scene and was there when the victim was pulled from the hole.
“I’m very happy and grateful that he came out safe and sound,” Jens-Smith said. “Thank you to the volunteers who came to his rescue,” she said. “He’s very lucky — We’re all very lucky to have dedicated, trained volunteers who rush to help people in need. They do an amazing job,” Jens-Smith said.