Infrastructure work is dangerous. That lesson hit home in Boston last week, when a water main ruptured in the city's South End and two workers drowned in the flooded excavation. South End Patch interviewed an eyewitness to the aftermath (see: "Two Victims Recovered Following Deadly Trench Flood: Boston Water Main Break," by Alex Newman).
"David Henck of Dorchester, who had just moved into the city this week, was walking down the street when he noticed water in the road," Patch reported. "He made his way over to the commotion on the other side of the street, where one construction worker was sobbing and others acted frantically to try and save their fellow workers. 'There was a small gathering of like 15 people, including myself, just watching,' he said. 'The construction workers were freaking out, some were on their hands and knees with water spraying them in the face.'"
WBZ-TV had on-scene coverage (see: "2 Workers Dead In Flooded South End Trench"). The employer on the site had a record of safety violations, according to the station: "WBZ-TV learned Atlantic Drain Services has been cited for numerous safety violations over the past four years. Records show they were cited for not having sufficient rescue crews in case of an accident," WBZ-TV reported.
The job was reportedly a private contract for a local property owner, not a city contract, according to press reports. The trench was reportedly 12 to 15 feet deep.
