2 Construction Workers Rescued from Collapsed Trench in Bethesda

Rescue teams worked for hours to extract the workers buried up to their heads and waists.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 6:56pm

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Two construction workers were rescued from a collapsed trench in Bethesda, Maryland on Tuesday afternoon. Rescue teams with the Montgomery County Fire Department spent hours extracting the workers, one of whom was buried up to his head and the other up to his waist. Both workers were transported to local trauma centers for treatment.

Why it matters

Trench collapses are a serious safety hazard for construction workers, often leading to severe injuries or fatalities. This incident highlights the importance of proper safety protocols and equipment to protect workers in dangerous excavation sites.

The details

The trench, located alongside a home in the 8100 block of Kentbury Drive, was between 10 and 12 feet deep and 2 to 3 feet wide when it collapsed on the two workers. It took rescue teams about 2 hours to extract the worker buried up to his head, while the other worker buried up to his waist was rescued in about half that time.

  • The emergency call was received around 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
  • Rescue teams worked for approximately 2 hours to extract the worker buried up to his head.

The players

Montgomery County Fire Department

The local fire department that responded to the trench collapse and led the rescue efforts.

Pete Piringer

A spokesperson for the Montgomery County Fire Department who provided details about the rescue operation.

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What they’re saying

“The guys were not in a good place when we got here.”

— Pete Piringer, Fire Department Spokesperson

What’s next

Authorities will investigate the cause of the trench collapse and ensure proper safety protocols were followed by the construction company.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the inherent dangers construction workers face on job sites and the critical importance of robust safety measures to protect them, especially in high-risk excavation work.