trench rescue incident

Bethel, 5/11/2022 — At approximately 1:07pm today, Stony Hill and Bethel Volunteers were alerted to a reported trench collapse on Budd Drive in the Stony Hill district.  Due to the nature of the report, Danbury Fire Department was immediately requested for their technical rescue team & trench rescue trailer. 

Stony Hill Rescue 2 arrived on scene and confirmed a worker was trapped in a hole approximately 13-15 feet deep, up to his chin in dirt. The worker was conscious and talking when responders arrived. Upon the arrival of additional resources, including Danbury’s equipment, firefighters began to properly shore up the hole, preventing further collapse. With the combined effort of Stony Hill, Bethel, & Danbury firefighters working in the hole, dirt was removed by hand into buckets to help free the worker.  A special call was made to the City of Danbury Public Works for a vacuum truck to better help firefighters remove the dirt.

A decision was made by the Nuvance Health Paramedics on scene & doctors at Danbury Hospital that the individual needed to be airlifted once removed to Yale New Haven Hospital. Stony Hill Engine 3, with assistance from West Redding Fire Department, secured the landing zone for Life Star at Rubino Field on Hawleyville Road.

The victim was removed at 3:55pm and was trapped for approximately 2 ½ hours. He was transported by Stony Hill EMS to the landing zone and then to Yale New Haven Hospital via LIfeStar Helicopter in serious condition. 

This incident was a tremendous effort by multiple outside agencies including Danbury, Brookfield, Redding, West Redding, Dodgingtown & Ridgefield Fire Departments, Danbury & Bethel Public Works, Bethel Police and Nuvance Health Paramedics. 

Questions may be directed to PIO@stonyhillfd.com