Crime & Safety

[UPDATE] Firefighters Rescue Men Trapped in Southport Basement

Four men were transported to local hospitals with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

[UPDATE - 12:45 P.M.] Fairfield Firefighters rescued several construction workers trapped in the basement of a Southport home after a stairwell they were walking up collapsed Thursday morning.

Shortly after 9 a.m. at 138 South Gate Lane, Southport, four men were carrying a bathtub up to a third floor when a stairwell collapsed, sending the men falling into the basement of the home.

Fairfield Fire, Police and EMR responded to the scene shortly after the accident and began to prepare for extrication. Firefighters rigged a tripod and rope system and quickly removed all of the men from the basement with a stokes basket, according to Assistant Fire Chief Christopher Tracy. 

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The men were transported to local hospitals with serious but non-life threatening injuries, according to Assistant Fire Chief Bisson.  

“All four patients were transferred to awaiting AMR ambulances within 38 minutes of the initial call,” said Bisson. “Fairfield Fire crews worked efficiently and effectively to manage patient care and packaging despite limited access and the hazards of hanging lumber and an iron tub that needed to be secured before initiating patient removal as quickly and safely as possible.”

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Fire Chief Richard Felner cleared the scene after all patients were removed.

“The guys did an outstanding job,” said Chief Felner. “They did exactly what they were supposed to do. This could have been much more serious, but I often say ‘training pays off’ and they proved it today.”

All emergency crews had left the scene at noon Thursday. Building Official Jim Gilleran and OSHA Safety and Occupational Health Specialist Paul Bernor remained on scene to investigate the accident, according to Tracy.

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[UPDATE - 10:55 A.M.] Four men have been transported to local hospitals following this morning’s construction accident in Southport, according to Sgt. Lussier.

Two men have been taken to Bridgeport Hospital and two men have been taken to St. Vincent’s Hospital. The severity of the injuries are unknown at this time, according to Sgt. Lussier.

OSHA has been notified of the accident and police remain on scene. 

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[ORIGINAL STORY - 10 A.M.] A construction accident has been reported on South Gate Lane in Southport Thursday morning. 

According to Sgt. Sue Lussier, a stairwell collapsed as several men were attempting to carry a bathtub up to a third floor and the men fell into the basement.

Officers are on scene at 10 a.m., according to Lussier. 

Additional information will be provided when it becomes available. 


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