Dubuque Fire Department Responds to Trench Collapse Incident

March 1, 2024 -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Dubuque Emergency Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call at 8:22 a.m. this morning reporting a construction site trench collapse at 3130 Lake Ridge Dr. with one individual trapped.

Dubuque Fire Department firefighters were dispatched with the first unit arriving on the scene at 8:29 a.m. Upon arrival at the apartment building construction site, firefighters found excavation co-workers attempting to dig out the individual who was buried under approximately 7-8 feet of soil. Dubuque Fire’s trench rescue team immediately began efforts to shore up the trench to prevent additional collapsing and initiated recovery efforts.

The deceased victim was recovered at 9:46 a.m. Fire crews remained on scene until 11:47 a.m. to secure the site with the help of City of Dubuque Engineering staff. Dubuque Police Department were also on the scene assisting with the response.

No additional injuries were reported of firefighters or construction site employees. The incident remains under investigation.

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Media Contacts:
Assistant Fire Chief David Grass, 563.589.4172, dgrass@cityofdubuque.org
Fire Marshal Kevin Esser, 563.589.4161, kesser@cityofdubuque.org

Please do not reply to this message. For incident-specific information, please contact the staff identified in the message above. For general fire and emergency medical services information, visit www.cityofdubuque.org/fire or contact the Dubuque Fire Department at 563.589.4160 or fire@cityofdubuque.org.

In an emergency, always call 9-1-1. For non-emergency dispatch, call 563.589.4415.