MIAMI TOWNSHIP, Ohio — Miami Township police are looking at charges for a trench collapse that killed one person and injured two more in Clermont County on Friday.
We obtained a police report that lists possible charges of reckless homicide and negligent assault; there is no suspect listed on the police report, however. Police said no charges have been filed at this time.
Officials said preliminary information suggests the three were contractors working on installing water control piping. Standard trench safety systems, usually required for this type of work, were not in place, officials said.
Miami Township Fire Chief Dave Jetter told us on Friday that three people were putting underground pipes in on Valley Forge Drive when the trench collapsed on them at around 3:40 p.m. Friday. When crews arrived, Jetter said they found one person trying to dig the three out.
Two of them were conscious and talking. However, one man was unconscious.
Watch: We were there when crews rescued two people and recovered one deceased victim trapped after a trench collapsed
Jetter said his crews were able to get oxygen and heated blankets into the trench while waiting for additional resources, including Hamilton County Urban Search and Rescue. It took around 45 minutes for crews to actually gain access to the trench, Jetter said.
After accessing the trench, Jetter said officials learned the person who was unconscious had died. Officials later confirmed the victim died as a result of injuries from the collapse.
All three were Spanish speakers, and the two who were alive and speaking are communicating with officials through a translator.
Jetter said that there was another collapse while crews were working to get the people trapped out. The two remained stable, but their lower extremities were buried in compacted mud.
Officials were able to get both people out. In a release Monday, Miami Township Fire & EMS said both were taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where they are alive and receiving treatment.
The second person was pulled out hours after the first. Officials said that the person suffered a lower leg injury and hypothermia, and treatment for them began while inside the trench.
Officials said it took approximately six hours total to get the two conscious people out of the trench.
Crews recovered the body of the victim late Friday night, officials said.
Red Cross arrived at the scene to bring water and food for the crews working.
Officials said OSHA will carry out an investigation. The Miami Township Police Department, Clermont County Coroner's Office and Clermont County Prosecutor's Office are also investigating.
