Worker caught in trench collapse

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DIXON - A plumbing worker buried nearly chest deep in mud when a trench collapsed was dug out by hand and taken to KSB Hospital Monday, police and fire officials said.

The man, a Pfoutz Plumbing & Heating employee, was working in a narrow, 6-foot-deep ditch fixing a broken service line for Dollar General, 520 W. Third St., a little before 1:40 p.m., when the rain-soaked wall collapsed. Another employee called 911 and began to dig.

Dixon Police Lt. Clay Whelan said the worker was conscious and breathing when Dixon Rural and City Fire Department crews arrived.

They dug him out by hand and used backboards to shore up the trench, Whelan said. The worker, whom Whelan declined to identify, was taken to KSB Hospital. His condition was unavailable Monday evening.

The Franklin Grove company began work on the line Friday. The ditch did not have a trench box, but unless digging goes beyond a certain depth, shoring is not required, City Building Inspector Paul Shiaras said.

"Usually, there's some widening out after a while to prevent that kind of thing," Shiaras said. "I didn't see how deep they were. I did see like some more of the ditch was going to go, though."

Both Whelan and Shiaras said the recent heavy rains contributed to the collapse.

"They were all on the up and up as far as permits go. At what point do you need to start shoring up holes?" Shiaras said.