Worker Trapped On Friday Identified

Clarkstown Police have identified the worker stuck for more than two hours in a collapsed trench Friday afternoon as Lucas Morel, 21, from Norwalk, CT.  He was airlifted to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, no further information is available. Morel was employed by Rain King Basement Systems of New City.

On Friday at 1:25 p.m., the Clarkstown Police and other emergency services responded to 13 Germonds Road in New City to aid a worker trapped in a six foot deep trench with mud up to his chest. Morel was caught when the walls of the trench in which he was working collapsed on him.  He was reported to have been conscious when rescued. 

Police report the incident is still being investigated and no charges have been filed in connection with the incident. 

The Nanuet Fire Department, Rockland Regional Technical Rescue Team, Pearl River Fire Department, Nanuet Ambulance Corps, Rockland Paramedics, Clarkstown Police Department, Clarkstown Building Department, Orange & Rockland, Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) and STAT Flight all assisted in extricating Morel. The West Nyack Fire Department handled the landing zone and Spring Valley Fire Department stood by for Nanuet in case of any emergencies. 

Editor's Note: The Clarkstown Building Department said a building permit is not needed for foundation work.