A worker for Pierce-Burch Water Treatment Plant near Lake Arlington was trapped under a pipe for nearly an hour before being rescued on March 20.
Archer Western LLC, a contractor for Arlington Water Utilities, notified Arlington Water Utilities that an employee was trapped after working on an underground 54-inch water transmission line at 9:00 a.m. The worker’s arm became trapped after a safety device unexpectedly shifted.
The pipe had already been drained for a pipe section replacement project.
Arlington Fire Department’s Special Operations Teams successfully freed the worker about an hour later, just after 10:00 a.m. The worker was then transported to a local hospital.
The fire department posted images of emergency personnel venturing into the pipe to recuse the trapped worker.
The worker sustained serious injuries, though the injuries were not life-threatening. Emergency personnel was even able to converse with the trapped man throughout the course of the rescue operation.
Arlington Water Utilities Director Craig M. Cummings provided a statement.
“We are thankful for the quick action from Archer Western and the City of Arlington Fire Department in preventing further injury. Our thoughts are with the employee involved in this accident and his family,” said Cummings to the city. “The safety of employees at Arlington Water Utilities facilities, whether they are City employees or those working for a private company, is our highest priority.
The identity and current condition of the worker is currently unknown.
The plant is currently undergoing renovations and is continuing to replace several sections of the pipe that had trapped the worker. The plant is not currently running, as it does not operate during the winter months.
“We are extremely proud of our members and wish the victim a complete recovery,” said the Arlington Fire Department.
The North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) recently also announced that it would be conducting chlorine maintenance on the water transmission system through April 3, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. This maintenance is expected to improve drinking water quality.
