1 dead, 2 in critical condition after trench collapses in Clermont County, Miami Township fire chief says
Dec 05, 2025
One person is dead and two more are in critical condition after they were trapped in a trench that collapsed in Clermont County.Miami Township Fire Chief Dave Jetter said three people were putting underground pipes in on Valley
Forge Drive when the trench collapsed on them at around 3:40 p.m. Friday. When crews arrived, Jetter said they found one person trying to dig the three out.Two of them were conscious and talking. However, one man was unconscious.Watch: We were there when crews rescued two people and recovered one deceased victim trapped after a trench collapsed 1 dead, 2 in critical condition after a trench collapse. Here's what we knowJetter said his crews were able to get oxygen and heated blankets into the trench while waiting for additional resources, including Hamilton County Urban Search and Rescue. It took around 45 minutes for crews to actually gain access to the trench, Jetter said.After accessing the trench, Jetter said officials learned the person who was unconscious had died.All three were Spanish speakers, and the two who were alive and speaking are communicating with officials through a translator.Jetter said that there was another collapse while crews were working to get the people trapped out. The two remained stable, but their lower extremities were buried in compacted mud.Officials were able to get both people out. They are both considered to be in critical condition and were taken to UC Medical Center.The second person was pulled out hours after the first. Officials said that person is suffering from a lower leg injury and hypothermia, and treatment for them began while inside the trench.Officials said it took approximately six hours total to get the two conscious people out of the trench.Crews recovered the body of the victim late Friday night, officials said.Red Cross arrived at the scene to bring water and food for the crews working.
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