1 Worker Dead After Trench Collapse In Thurston County

THURSTON COUNTY, WA — One man was killed and another rescued after a trench collapse in rural Thurston County Thursday morning. Deputies and medics were called on the 16300 block of Vail Loop Road Southeast, east of Tenino, shortly before 11 a.m.

When they arrived, first responders discovered an in-progress power trench, leading up to a nearby wind farm, had collapsed, fully burying one worker and partially burying another man. Crews were able to rescue the second man, but the second man died at the scene.

Investigators said it was too early to know the cause of the collapse, and did not identify what company the men worked for. A sheriff's office spokesman said it was likely a state agency would lead an investigation into the incident.