Two workers trapped under school building in Euless rescued Monday: fire officials

Two workers who were trapped Monday night under a school building in Euless have been rescued, according to Fort Worth fire officials.

The workers were trying to fix a slab leak at Treetops School International when mud collapsed around them and they got stuck, said Fort Worth Fire Department spokesman Craig Trojacek. The men were working in a hole about 15 feet under the building.

The Fort Worth area received intermittent rain throughout the day Monday as a storm system swept through North Texas.

“The two men were with Roto-Rooter and were making repairs to a slab leak when the ground sunk in due to the heavy rain throughout the day,” the fire department wrote in a Facebook post. “The men were trapped about 15 feet under the building in incredibly slick mud that made climbing out impossible.”

Rescue teams and firefighters from Fort Worth, Euless, Haltom City, Grapevine, Hurst, Keller and Watauga responded starting at about 5:40 p.m. to the scene at 12500 South Pipeline Road.

The workers, who received minor injuries, were freed about an hour and a half later at 7:15 p.m., Trojacek said. One was treated at the scene and the other was taken to the hospital, according to MedStar.

“Although cold, wet and shaken from the ordeal, they sustained no serious injuries and walked to awaiting MedStar medics,” the fire department release said.

According to the Treetops School International website, school has been canceled Tuesday for students in fifth through 12th grades as crews continue repair work on the water line. Students in kindergarten through fourth grade will attend school as usual.

This story was originally published November 14, 2022 at 8:37 PM.