A 29-year-old construction worker died Thursday after a trench collapsed while he was digging a tunnel underneath an apartment building at the Sage Hill at Cypress Waters complex in far northwest Dallas near Coppell.
Dallas Fire-Rescue crews responded around 3:20 p.m. to the 2200 block of Sage Hill Lane. The worker was trapped under the structure as concrete was being poured during foundation work. Firefighters, along with urban search and rescue teams, cut through the concrete floor and removed several feet of dirt to reach him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Dallas police assisted at the location, and officials from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration were also on site. A Coppell Fire Department spokeswoman confirmed the collapse occurred during the pour, but the building itself remained intact.
The incident highlights ongoing risks in construction, particularly trench work. The complex is part of the growing Cypress Waters development area. No other workers were reported injured.
The victim has not been publicly identified. A comprehensive investigation by OSHA and local authorities is underway to determine the cause of the collapse. This is the latest in a series of trench-related incidents in the North Texas area in recent years.
Crews worked into the evening to stabilize the site, with heavy equipment including excavators brought in to assist. Dozens of first responders were on scene as residents watched from nearby balconies.
Trench collapses remain a significant hazard in the construction industry. Federal safety standards require protective systems for excavations deeper than five feet in most cases, though officials have not yet released details on conditions at this site.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up to receive our KRLD Insider Newsletter for more news
Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
