Calgary fire crews rescue injured man from trench in N.E.

At approximately 1:20 this afternoon, Calgary fire crews including the heavy rescue team were dispatched to the 1300 block of 33 Street N.E. for a trench rescue. An initial report to 911 stated that a man in his fifties was struck by the bucket of a track hoe.

When fire crews arrived on scene, they found an unconscious breathing male at the bottom of a 12 foot trench. To ensure the safety of the patient and the rescuers, the walls of the trench needed to be shored up before entering. Heavy rescue team members used specialty equipment to stabilize the side of the trench and prevent collapse of the walls.

An aerial ladder and stretcher were used to remove the patient and transfer care to waiting EMS personnel. Occupational health and Safety Officers were called to the scene to investigate the cause of this workplace accident.

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