Worker Miraculously Alert and Able to Speak After Over 4 Hours...

YARMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS – A large trench at a construction site in Yarmouth collapsed around 8:45 AM on Tuesday, trapping workers at the location on South Shore Drive near the Skipper Restaurant. The crews were reportedly working on a sewer project when the incident occurred. A police officer working a detail at the site reportedly called in the collapse, prompting a major response from Cape Cod emergency officials, including the Barnstable County Tech Rescue Team.

One worker was pulled from the hole and eventually placed in an ambulance. He was taken to Cape Cod Hospital. Two others remained trapped in the collapsed roadway trench.

According to an earlier Facebook post from the Yarmouth Police Department: “Yarmouth Police and Fire departments are on the scene of a trench collapse with entrapment at a work site located at 152 South Shore Drive in South Yarmouth. Workers were trapped following the collapse. What we know at this time: One worker has been extricated, and rescue teams are currently providing lifesaving measures. Crews are still currently working the scene. We ask the Media to please stage at the Parkers River Lodge on South Shore Drive. We ask the public to avoid the area to allow emergency personnel to work safely and efficiently.”

Hyannis News was on the scene and captured video of tech rescue team members extracting one of the trapped construction workers after he had been stuck for over 4 hours. The worker was miraculously alert and able to speak with first responders, even reaching out to hold a man’s hand as he was rushed on a stretcher to an awaiting ambulance. He was then transported to nearby Smuggler’s Beach, where he was loaded into a Medflight helicopter and airlifted to an off-Cape trauma center.

Tragically, a third collapse victim reportedly did not survive.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is on the scene investigating the incident.

[DEVELOPING] HN will update this story here as more official details become available… (see below)

The following Hyannis News video documents the entire scene.

[HN VIDEO – PRESS PLAY]

Man who lost his life in trench collapse identified…

Town of Yarmouth media statement

November 19, 2025

With deep sadness, the Town of Yarmouth confirms that Miguel Reis, age 61, of Fall River, Massachusetts, tragically lost his life in the trench collapse on South Shore Drive yesterday. Another man involved in the incident was rescued and is currently receiving care at Rhode Island Hospital. Our hearts are with both families, their loved ones, and all who are grieving during this very difficult time.

The incident remains under investigation by the Massachusetts State Police Detective Division, assigned to the Cape & Islands District Attorney’s Office, along with the U.S. Department of Labor Standards Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) based in Boston.

11/18/2025 Media Statement from Chief Enrique Arrascue of the Yarmouth Fire Department:

At 8:50 am today, the Yarmouth Fire Department received a call for assistance from a Yarmouth Police detail officer indicating a trench collapse at the sewer construction site located at 152 South Shore Drive adjacent to Parker’s River Beach. The initial report indicated there were several people trapped in the trench.

Yarmouth Fire immediately dispatched all on-duty personnel, requested a full department recall and simultaneously requested the Barnstable County Technical Rescue Team. Additionally, a request was made for a mutual aid working fire assignment for station coverage due to the expected duration of the incident.

The first units arrived at 08:55 am reporting three victims, one of whom managed self-

extrication; a second, buried up to his waist; and the third completely entrapped. Rescue operations commenced immediately with personnel working and finally freeing the second victim at approximately 1:20 pm, who was then evaluated and transported to Rhode Island Hospital by Boston Med Flight. Rescue operations continued until the third worker, who succumbed to his injuries, was removed from the trench at approximately 2:45 pm.

The incident is under active investigation by local, state, and federal authorities. The

Yarmouth Fire Department would like to thank the numerous partners and agencies in response and stabilization of this incident including Barnstable, Brewster, Centerville-Osterville-Marstons Mills, Chatham, Cotuit, Dennis, Harwich, Joint Base-Cape Cod, and the West Barnstable Fire Departments for provision of on-scene and coverage support. The Barnstable and Plymouth County Technical Rescue Teams for the technical expertise to safely extricate the victims working with the Department of Fire Services, Boston Med Flight, and the Providence Canteen providing direct support to the incident scene. The Yarmouth Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration provided scene security and investigatory services. National Grid and Eversource managed utility concerns throughout the incident. Special thanks to the Town of Yarmouth’s Town Administrator’s Office, Water Department, and Department of Public Works from both Yarmouth and Barnstable for their assistance. Equipment and personnel from Public Works were critical to the operation.

The Yarmouth Fire Department extends our deepest sympathies to the victim’s loved ones and our appreciation to all responders for their professionalism during this tragic incident.