Construction Worker Rescued From Trench Collapse In Oxford Township: Sheriff

OXFORD TOWNSHIP, MI — A construction worker was rescued after a trench collapse in Oxford Township on Tuesday, according to officials.

The 50-year-old Swartz Creek man was working on a sanitary sewer in the trench in the 20 block of Brabb Road at 3:46 p.m. when it collapsed, officials said.

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Officials said the man was walking parallel to the trench when "the lip gave way." Officials said he slid down and ended up next to the trench box, roughly 12 to 15 feet from the original trench lip.

The man was buried in dirt and debris from the waist down, leaving him unable to free himself, officials said.

Rescue crews worked for hours using specialized equipment to free the man, who remained in good spirits during the operation, officials said.

The man was in stable condition upon being freed and was airlifted by medical helicopter to a nearby hospital where he checked out without any serious injuries, officials said.

"It's so nice to have a story with a happy ending," Oxford Township Supervisor Jack Curtis said. "These situations can go so wrong so quickly. I'm very thankful we have legions of highly trained heroes living among us who drop everything, race to the scene and get the job done. Thank you, everyone!"

This is the second trench collapse that left a worker trapped this summer in Oxford Township. The first happened in June when workers were installing field tile as part of a septic system.