WYANDOTTE, Mich. – Two workers were rescued after a trench they were working on collapsed in Wyandotte.
At about 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, officials received a report that two men had been trapped while digging a trench in the backyard of a home in the 2300 block of 17th Street, according to Wyandotte Fire Chief Jeremy Moline.
The men were contractors with a plumbing company and the homeowner, who recently purchased the house, was having renovations done.
Three workers were at the house working, but only two were trapped in the trench when fire officials arrived. The trench was about 15-20 feet deep, according to Moline.
The department called the Western Wayne County Urban Search and Rescue Team and the Washtenaw Urban Search and Rescue Team to assist. They brought their special equipment to help extricate the men.
“Before we send rescuers down a trench like that, we’ve got to make sure it’s safe for the rescuers,” said Wyandotte Fire Chief Jeremy Moline.
The men were rescued and one was taken by helicopter to the hospital. The other was treated at the scene and released. Both are in stable condition, according to the chief.
One of the workers was trapped for around four hours before being rescued.
A Romulus firefighter assigned to the Western Wayne USAR team was among the first responders who helped free the men.
The individuals on the rescue team are skilled in rope and water rescues, trench collapse, confined space operations and wide-area searches and assist in communities throughout Wayne County.
“Despite the rarity of their use, their work is incredibly specialized and underfunded,” said Kevin Krause, director of community safety and economic development in Romulus. “Yet, in critical situations like this, the return on investment is immeasurable—two individuals were saved and can return home to their families and loved ones."
