SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Rescue crews rushed a construction worker to the hospital after a rush of water from a main rupture trapped him in an underground tunnel in Southwest Miami-Dade.
Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office and Fire Rescue units responded to the scene of the incident in the area of Southwest 120th Avenue and 220th Street, right off U.S. 1, late Monday night.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said the water pipe burst at around 10:20 p.m., flooding the tunnel and trapping the worker inside for several minutes.
“Burst pipe, and abrasion and traumatic injuries to the head, and was submerged for approximately four to six minutes, according to police on scene,” said a first responder in radio transmissions.
According to the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department, the victim was performing work on the department’s water system at the time of the main break.
Detectives said the victim’s co-workers found and removed him and initiated CPR while they waited for paramedics to arrive.
Bystanders described the muddy conditions on the ground.
“When I got to my church, it was mud and water everywhere. The guys were out there cleaning up,” said Tammy Williams.
“Trucks everywhere, water everywhere, just a big, muddy mess,” said Oscar Lopez.
Lopez, who lives next door to the site where the pipe burst, said he spoke to the people who were working the incident.
“They were working on the water main, and there was an accident where one of the construction workers got hurt,” he said. “The pipe burst out of the ground and knocked him out.”
Back at the scene, deputies cordoned off the scene, as water gushed from the ground right next to an apartment complex under construction.
Someone familiar with the situation told 7News that the worker is in his 30s and has been with Trans Florida Development Corp., a general engineering contracting firm, for years.
The person familiar with the situation said the company was working to connect the water line from the apartment complex to the county’s main water line, something that is usually done at night so as not to disturb the water pressure in the neighborhood.
Rescue crews took the construction worker to Ryder Trauma Center | Jackson South in critical condition. He was unresponsive during transport.
“Nobody should lose their life for, you know, having a job. This poor guy, he was just doing his job,” said Lopez.
Tuesday morning, Trans Florida crews were seen cleaning the street where the rupture occurred. 7News cameras captured the repairs made to the water main.
Authorities have not provided further details, as they continue to investigate.
Trans Florida did not immediately respond to 7News’ request for more information.
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