Charlton Bramshot Avenue: Worker rescued from trench

The trench in Bramshot Avenue was approximately twelve metres in length and four metres in depth when it gave way, causing the man to be trapped up to his waist in sand and clay yesterday (April 16).

The London Fire Brigade dispatched five fire rescue units to the scene, coordinated by urban search and rescue crews who are specially trained to deal with such crises.

The Brigade deployed one of its 32metre ladders to assist with rescue operations.

LFB worked closely with the London Ambulance Service, including their Hazardous Area Response Team.

The first paramedic arrived at the scene within five minutes of the initial call out and were able to provide immediate medical attention.

The trench in Bramshot Avenue was approximately twelve metres in length and four metres in depth when it gave way (Image: LFB)

Steps were then taken to stabilize the trench during the extraction process to prevent any collapse.

Fire Brigade crews from East Greenwich, Eltham, Bethnal Green and other surrounding stations attended the scene.

The incident lasted from 12.29pm until 6.47pm that day, ending with the successful rescue of the worker who was then transported to the hospital by paramedics.

Following the incident, the Metropolitan Police Service and the Health and Safety Executive took over responsibility for the scene.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Firefighters rescued a trapped man at a construction site near Bramshot Avenue, Charlton.

“A trench, approximately twelve metres long and four metres deep, collapsed and trapped a man up to his waist in sand and clay. Five Fire Rescue Units formed part of the Brigade's response, deploying specially trained Urban Search and Rescue crews to the scene. Crews worked to make the scene safe and rescue the trapped individual.

“One of the Brigade's 32m ladders was also deployed to the scene to assist crews as they carried out rescue operations. Throughout the incident firefighters worked closely with the London Ambulance Service Hazardous Area Response Team, who coordinated medical care throughout the incident.

“Crews worked methodically to extract the trapped man, excavating sad and clay from the trench to increase access. As they did this, steps were taken to shore up and stabilise the trench to prevent any further collapse. The Brigade was first called about the collapse at 1229, and the incident was over for crews by 1847. Once the man was released from the trench, he was taken to hospital by paramedics.

“Firefighters from East Greenwich, Eltham, Bethnal Green and surrounding fire stations attended the scene. Responsibility for the scene has been handed over to the Metropolitan Police Service and Health and Safety Executive.”

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 12.39pm yesterday (16 April) to reports of an incident on Bramshot Avenue, Charlton.

“We sent resources to the scene including ambulance crews, an incident response officer, and members of our hazardous area response team (HART). We also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance.

“Our first paramedic arrived on scene in five minutes.

“We treated a patient at the scene before taking them to hospital.”