Crews Rescue Worker Following New York Trench Collapse

ORANGE COUNTY, N.Y. -- A man was buried up to his neck following a trench collapse in Orange County Thursday.

After nearly four hours, rescue workers were able to free him.

Authorites say 20-year-old Rubin Duque became trapped in what was an 8-foot deep ditch at 154 Acres Road in Kiryas Joel.

Officials say Duque and his 24-year-old brother, Saul, were working for DT Enterprises of Unionville, digging a ditch behind the multi-family building for pipes used to drain water away from the building.

Rubin was reportedly in the ditch when it collapsed, while Saul was in a backhoe. Saul attempted to dig out his brother following the collapse.

Trench rescue teams from Goshen, Mechanicstown and Monticello were called to the scene.

Firemen stabilized the trench with bracing and set up flood lights. Raul Duque was conscious and talking during the rescue, according to authorities.

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Republished with permission of WABC-TV.