FREDERICKTOWN — Gary Westbrook, a worker for Ours Excavating of Mount Gilead, was trapped for several minutes when the ditch being excavated along Phoenix Place caved in Monday morning.
Fredericktown Police Chief Jerry Day said Westbrook, 49, was buried up to his waist and was freed by co-workers by the time the Fredericktown EMS arrived.
EMS Chief Rick Lanuzza said that because of the chance of abdominal injuries, the squad took him to Kokosing Construction, where he was picked up by an Air Evac helicopter and flown to Ohio State University Medical Center.
The excavation appeared to be about four feet deep.
The trench was being dug along the road from Ohio 95 leading to Schafer Drive Line (formerly Dana Corp.) to connect a water main to the new village water tower, being constructed on land next to Schafer.
Westbrook was listed in serious condition this morning at OSU Medical Center.
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