Loveland Trench Rescue

At 15:45 on April 16th, 2021 the Loveland Emergency Communications Center (LECC) dispatched Loveland Fire Rescue Authority and Thompson Valley EMS to the 4200 block of Lacewood Lane in Johnstown on a confined space rescue. Upon arrival Thompson Valley Paramedics found three construction workers in an excavation trying to rescue a fourth worker that was trapped under mud and rising water in the bottom of the excavation approximately 25 feet below grade. Additional personnel and equipment were requested from neighboring agencies including vacuum trucks from the City of Loveland. The incident transitioned from a rescue to a recovery due to the ground water and continued instability of the excavation. The shape of the excavation did not allow for the use of rescue shores so it was decided to slope the excavation out a safe distance to allow for recovery. Emergency utility locates were called in and electrical, gas, and water systems were isolated and disconnected so heavy equipment could enlarge the excavation to allow for safe entry. At approximately 23:00 the recovery was completed. This accident occurred two years to the day after a very similar double fatal trench accident in neighboring Windsor, for that story click here: Windsor Trench Rescue. Additional information courtesy of Loveland Fire Rescue Authority

Units on Scene:

Loveland: Battalion 41, Chief 40, Chief 42, Chief 43, Chief 47, Chief 48, Engine 41, Engine 42, Engine 45, Engine 46, Tower 46, Rescue 42, Rescue 46, Engine 426 w/ collapse trailer, Tender 43, ARFF 40 & Air 41

Front Range Fire Rescue: Battalion Chief 2960 & Ladder 2918

Windsor Severance Fire Rescue: Rescue 4250

Poudre Fire Authority: Battalion Chief 2, Chief 2, Ladder 5 & Collapse Rescue 1

Greeley Fire Department: Battalion Chief 2, Ladder 5, Rescue 5 & Trench Rescue Trailer

Thompson Valley EMS: Paramedic 351 & Paramedic 329

Johnstown Police Department, Johnstown Public Works, Loveland Police Department (drone support), City of Loveland Public Works (vacuum trucks)
City of Loveland Fleet (fueling), Larimer County Coroner, Larimer County Sheriff (victims advocate), Xcel & Poudre Valley REA