Worker partially buried in American Fork workplace trench collapse

AMERICAN FORK — A construction worker suffered a broken leg and possible other internal injuries after a trench he was working in collapsed Friday, burying him to his waist.

The accident happened about 11:30 a.m. near 215 North Meadow Lane where road crews were digging a trench to install a sewer line.The trench was about 15 feet deep.

When emergency crews arrived, they found one man buried waist high in dirt, said American Fork Fire Battalion Chief Doug Bateman.

"He had one obvious leg fracture and other internal injuries," Bateman said.

From the time emergency crews arrived, it took about 30 minutes to secure the pit and dig him out, he said.

"Not many people come out of a trench collapse alive. He's lucky," Bateman said.

Co-workers said the man, whose name was not immediately released, was in a lot of pain but rescue crews noted his injuries were not life-threatening.

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