Fire crew rescues worker buried in trench at residential construction site in Oakville

Members of Mississauga’s and Oakville’s fire services teams had to work together for a “high-hazard” trench rescue to save a buried patient.

The crews responded to the house on Lakeshore Rd west of Fourth Ln after a man had gotten buried up to his waist. Halton Regional Police were also in the neighbourhood to shut down Lakeshore Rd.

The firefighters had to conduct a trench rescue to get the man unburied. This involves shoring up the side of a trench to dig a trapped worker out.

This is considered among the most dangerous rescue operations firefighters can perform. The trench can continue to shift or collapse even more. The rescuers can easily become the victims in these situations.

However, the Mississauga and Oakville fire services, “conducted a phenomenal rescue,” according to Mississauga Fire Chief Deryn Rizzi, “demonstrating sophisticated skills and top-notch teamwork.”

The man was pulled from the collapse shortly before 9 p.m. By the time they got him out, the man had been trapped for roughly three hours.

Once the man was free Halton Paramedics and Ornge checked him out.

Halton Regional Police say that the worker is now in stable condition.