Two Victims Recovered Following Deadly Trench Flood: Boston Water Main Break

BOSTON, MA – Construction workers sobbed and worked frantically, falling on hands and knees with water spraying them in the face as they tried in vain to save two fellow workers stuck in a flooded trench on a Boston street Friday afternoon.

A suddenly frantic situation ended in tragedy as the two workers died after being trapped in a 2-by-20-foot trench in the area of 10 Dartmouth Street, according to the Boston Fire Department. The flooding was apparently caused by a water main break.

Emergency crews recovered the first victim after 6 p.m. and the second around 8 p.m. Neither have been identified.

Mayor Marty Walsh said the affected area could be shut down for days. Dartmouth Street will be closed through at least the evening commute, Boston police officials said.

Fox 25 reports the workers were employed by Atlantic Drain, a company with a litany of violations and fines from the Occupational Health and Safety Administration.

A large vacuum was used to assist in removing the water. Once most of the water was removed, a trench box was lowered to secure the walls and prevent a collapse, Boston Fire said.

David Henck of Dorchester, who had just moved into the city this week, was walking down the street when he noticed water in the road. He made his way over to the commotion on the other side of the street, where one construction worker was sobbing and others acted frantically to try and save their fellow workers.

"There was a small gathering of like 15 people, including myself, just watching," he said. "The construction workers were freaking out, some were on their hands and knees with water spraying them in the face."

Photo Credit: Julie Bellino, used with permission