Investigation continues after trench collapses in Rye

RYE, N.Y. (WABC) -- The trench where workers were rescued earlier Thursday is now fenced off in Rye after police and firefighters worked feverishly at the scene of a collapse where they were trapped.

Westchester County Technical Rescue Team was called in along with White Plains and New Rochelle rescue workers to Bradford Avenue in Rye around noon. The two men, attempting to repair a leak in a home's foundation, officials said, had been working in a trench 7 feet deep against the side of the house when the dirt side wall apparently began to collapse.

Jeremy Thunberg, an area EMT, had been walking his dogs nearby. "All of a sudden, I just heard a bang and I hear the workers scream. There were people trapped. Everyone was calling 911," he said.

Rye City Manager Frank Culross said the two victims were rescued after a frantic recovery effort. One of the workers was pulled out shortly before 12:30 p.m. and rushed to a waiting ambulance conscious and alert, while the second man was rescued six minutes later. He was grimacing in pain as he was rushed from the scene.

Specialized equipment was also brought in from Westchester County and several neighboring fire departments.

"They were buried approximately mid-chest," said Rye Fire Department Lt. Kurt Tietjen. "They were on oxygen relatively quick, but at no point were they in respiratory distress."

OSHA investigators are now investigating the trench work and the details of the accident.

"It's an ongoing investigation at this time. We don't believe there is anything criminal in nature, but just a home repair that unfortunately had gone bad," said Rye Police Department Lt. Scott Craig.