Two Workers Found Dead After Trench Collapse in Hoover

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2019/07/Feature2.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:3549;s:6:"height";i:1996;s:4:"file";s:20:"2019/07/Feature2.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:9:{s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"Feature2-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"Feature2-336x189.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:189;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:5:"large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"Feature2-771x434.jpg";s:5:"width";i:771;s:6:"height";i:434;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:18:"Feature2-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"Feature2-600x338.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:338;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"Feature2-300x300.jpg";s:5:"width";i:300;s:6:"height";i:300;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"Feature2-553x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:553;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"Feature2-470x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:470;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"Feature2-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:11:{s:8:"aperture";i:0;s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";i:0;s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";i:0;s:3:"iso";i:0;s:13:"shutter_speed";i:0;s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";i:0;}}
        )

    [_imagify_optimization_level] => Array
        (
            [0] => 0
        )

    [_imagify_status] => Array
        (
            [0] => error
        )

    [_imagify_data] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:5:"sizes";a:1:{s:4:"full";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:52:"Backup failed: The backup directory is not writable.";}}s:5:"stats";a:3:{s:13:"original_size";i:0;s:14:"optimized_size";i:0;s:7:"percent";i:0;}}
        )

    [_media_credit] => Array
        (
            [0] => Mary Scott Hodgin
        )

    [_navis_media_credit_org] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [_navis_media_can_distribute] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

)
1655633415 
1563924019

Two workers were found dead Tuesday evening after a trench collapsed on them in a Hoover neighborhood. The discovery came after an hours-long rescue and recovery effort.

Authorities with the Hoover Fire Department say they initially received a call just after 3 p.m. alerting them that two workers were trapped beneath a fallen trench.

“We did not know their exact location in the trench,” says Scott West, captain with the Hoover Fire Department. “We had to dig and work to find them.”

He says the trench, which was being used to install a drainage system, was about 8-feet deep, 4-feet wide and approximately 50-feet long. Close to 30 rescue workers, from both the Hoover Fire Department and Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service, helped search for the men.

“We worked for over two hours digging – hand digging with shovels,” West says. “Once we found them and were able to assess them, we realized that they were deceased.”

The workers’ identities have not been released. The Jefferson County Coroner’s office will determine the exact cause of death.

Authorities say the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been contacted and there will be an investigation into what caused the trench to collapse. The two men worked for the Birmingham-based company Water Drainage Solutions, Inc. Officials there did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

 

SpaceX rocket being tested in Texas explodes, but no injuries reported

A SpaceX rocket being tested in Texas exploded Wednesday night, sending a dramatic fireball high into the sky. The company said the Starship "experienced a major anomaly."

Erick is an ‘extremely dangerous’ Category 4 hurricane near Mexico’s Pacific coast

The major storm threatens to unleash destructive winds near where the eye crashes ashore, flash floods and a dangerous storm surge, forecasters said.

U.S. resumes visas for foreign students but demands access to social media accounts

The U.S. State Department said it is restarting the process for foreigners applying for student visas but all applicants will now be required to unlock their social media accounts for review.

Israeli president calls on the world to help destroy Iran nuclear sites

Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke with NPR in his official residence in Jerusalem on Wednesday, as President Trump was still weighing whether to intervene.

Screen addiction and suicidal behaviors are linked for teens, a study shows

The study, published in JAMA, followed teens for years and evaluated addictive behaviors, as well as suicidality.

Trump administration cuts specialized suicide prevention service for LGBTQ+ youth

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Prevention Lifeline included a service that provided specialized suicide prevention support by phone and text for LGBTQ+ kids. That's ending.

More Environment Coverage