Trench Collapses In Riverside County, Construction Worker Seriously Injured

HEMET, CA — A construction employee working on underground piping in unincorporated Hemet was seriously injured Tuesday afternoon when the 15-foot trench he was in collapsed around him, according to authorities.

The incident was reported at approximately 12:50 p.m. in the area of Faith Drive and Meridian Street, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

According to fire department spokesperson Tara Fernandez, a fellow construction worker pulled the victim out of the trench before first responders arrived.

"The patient was transported by ground ambulance to a local trauma center with serious injuries," according to the fire department.

No other injuries were reported.

The name of the company conducting the work was not immediately available.

The victim's name was not released.

The cause of the collapse is under investigation.