Two dead after trench collapse at construction site in St. Paul

(KSTP) – Two people are dead after a reported trench collapse at a construction site in St. Paul, according to St. Paul Assistant Fire Chief Matt Simpson.

The assistant chief said firefighters responded to a report of a collapse just before 3 p.m. on the 700 block of Mount Curve Boulevard in the Highland Park neighborhood.

One worker, who was not in the trench at the time, was able to call 911. According to the St. Paul fire department, despite a quick response, emergency officials were unable to rescue the two people.

“Due to the size of the boulders and the amount of soil that was in the trench that is likely would have caused significant trauma injuries as well as asphyxia if we weren’t able to get there in a very very short time frame,” explained Assitant Fire Chief Matt Simpson, adding he feels “horrible for the victims when anything like happens.”

“We train for this every day we work to make sure if it can be avoided that it is avoided,” Simpson said.

Emergency officials are working now to recover the two deceased individuals from the construction site.