An investigation is currently being conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) following a tragic trench collapse that resulted in the death of a worker at a construction site in Conroe, Texas.
On Saturday, the Conroe Police Department responded to an emergency call regarding a rescue operation on South Loop 336 East near FM 3083 East around noon. Upon arrival, officers discovered that a trench had collapsed while a crew from Engitex Construction was in the process of installing underground piping.
Reports indicate that the dirt walls, nearly 10 feet high, gave way, trapping two workers: 44-year-old Jose Arevalo and 34-year-old Yonatan Arevalo Molina. While other crew members initiated rescue efforts, emergency medical services were summoned to the scene.
Sadly, Jose Arevalo succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead shortly before 1 p.m. Yonatan Arevalo Molina was successfully rescued from the trench around 1:10 p.m. and subsequently transported to the hospital, where he has since been released.
A collaborative effort involving the Conroe Fire Department, The Woodlands Fire Department, North Montgomery County Fire ESD No. 1, Caney Creek Fire Department, and the Montgomery County Hospital District was instrumental in the rescue and medical response.
At present, there is no indication of foul play, and OSHA has arrived on-site to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
