A New York construction worker was listed in serious but stable condition after being trapped by mud at a subway worksite. While neighbors of the site have long complained about construction noise, they were alarmed to see several fire trucks responding to the area.
According to DNAinfo.com, the accident found the employee of E.E. Cruz Heavy Construction trapped in waist-deep mud for about five hours. Though he began the incident light-hearted, joking with emergency workers who were trying to free him, the mud and cold soon got to him.
The worker was 75 feet underground on the extension project of the Second Avenue subway line near 94th street on the Upper East Side. In all, 36 fire trucks and 155 firefighters responded to the scene, bringing large vacuum trucks that are most often used to clear clogged manholes.
The rescue took hours for several reasons, including the presence of debris in the mud and the fact that every time workers cleared mud, it would ooze back into place. In addition, there were three sheets of plywood trapping the man’s leg.
Battalion Chief Donald Hayde said the mud was “like quicksand” and was difficult to work with.
Now the scene is being investigated to determine what caused the accident.
“We’re still trying to figure out exactly what he was doing at the time, in essence, how the ground became overly saturated where it became a dangerous condition with the mud there,” said MTA spokesman Kevin Ortiz. “We will not commence any work until we complete a thorough and full investigation and get an idea of exactly what happened, why it happened and how we can prevent it from happening in the future.”
Three firefighters were also injured in the rescue, one seriously and two others with minor injuries.
All construction sites have potential hazards, whether you are 75 feet below the ground or 75 feet above it. There are risks, and injuries happen. Because others have a responsibility to keep you safe, you could be entitled to compensation when an accident like this occurs.
The construction accident attorneys of Ginarte represent workers in New York and New Jersey who are hurt in a variety of construction accidents. If you’ve been seriously injured in such an accident, contact our offices today. Call 888-GINARTE for a free consultation.