CATONSVILLE, MD—Two construction workers were pronounced dead on Friday evening after being trapped in a trench in Catonsville, Baltimore County Fire Department officials announced.
The incident occurred at just after 11:30 a.m. in the 500-block of Academy Road, where the workers were reinforcing a brick and stone retainer wall when it collapsed on them. They became trapped in the 6-foot trench.
About 50 to 60 fire and rescue personnel arrived on the scene. Workers initially shored up the trench to prevent it from collapsing on rescue workers or the trapped individuals. Officials then devised a plan to rescue the trapped workers.
Rescue efforts continued for over seven hours. However, the workers, who had been in critical condition since the collapse, were pronounced dead at just before 7:30 p.m.
The victims are 24-year-old Emerson Amestica and 32-year-old Wilmer Barzallo.
Update*500blk of Academy Rd* crews are on scene of a trench rescue. 2 construction workers trapped. Active extraction in progress. PIO on location at the intersection of Academy and Greenlow RD pic.twitter.com/ttpH8LescY
— Baltimore County Fire Department (@BaltCoFire) February 28, 2025
This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.
Photo via Baltimore County Fire Department
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