Fire Department

The Madison Fire Department was sent to the 700 block of West Dayton Street today just after 3:30 PM to assist a person trapped in a trench inside a skid loader at a construction site. Workers on scene had immediately called 911 after the equipment crashed into the trench.
Engine 4 and Medic 4 arrived within two minutes. Medic 4 made contact with the patient while Engine 4 assessed the scene and noted that diesel fuel had begun to leak out of the equipment. They prepared to extinguish the leaking fuel if it were to ignite. Ladder 1 and Engine 4 stabilized the area around the trench and ensured that people and equipment stayed clear to avoid causing a cave in.
The Heavy Urban Rescue Team was brought to the scene to provide access to specialized tools and equipment to get the entrapped patient out and help lift the skid loader out of the trench.
UW Police secured the scene and the Fire Department assigned a Safety Officer to observe all of the operations and make sure that no people were injured during the rescue.
The patient was extricated and immediately taken to the hospital by ambulance just after 4:30.
The Heavy Urban Rescue Team then prepared the skid loader to be lifted out of the trench. Two excavators that were at the construction site were used to lift it out using heavy chains.