POUGHKEEPSIE – City of Poughkeepsie firefighters and several other first responders freed two laborers who were trapped when the trench they were working in collapsed.

Emergency personnel were dispatched to a group home at 14 Dwight Street around 2 p.m. on Friday for a report of two men trapped in a trench that was being dug in front of the residence.

Upon arrival, fire department officials activated the “Special Operations” unit, a joint rescue team consisting of members of the Poughkeepsie, Arlington, and LaGrange fire departments to assist with the rescue.

According to Mayor Rob Rolison who is on the scene, the employees were in a trench approximately 12-feet deep and were trapped up to their waists in dirt and clay. Both men were conscious and speaking with the rescuers. The trench, dug by an excavator with DAKA Plumbing and Heating signage, had been digging the trench with no safety bracings to protect the workers, according to emergency personnel.

The firefighters worked to put together shoring to prevent further collapse before the men could be removed from the trench. Medics from Mobile Life Support Services were on the scene to provide medical assistance.