May 10, 2017 - (Update - 11:20am) - The Shelby County Sheriff's Department has provided updated information relating to the cave-in incident in Joaquin.
According to the press release issued by the Shelby County Sheriff's Department, deputies with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office responded to East Saddle Street in Joaquin Tuesday evening in reference to several men being trapped in a hole.
Once on scene Deputy Cody Muse observed a large hole on the east side of Saddle Street that appeared to be man-made. Deputy Muse was informed that two Joaquin city employees and an on-looker were trapped inside the hole and emergency response personnel were working to remove the individuals.
Deputy Muse was informed by the contractor working on the scene that prior to Muses’ arrival, the contractor along with two city employees were working to clasp sewer pipes together when the east wall of the hole collapsed. The contractor was able to escape the hole. An on-looker attempting to offer help jumped inside the hole and the west side of the hole collapsed.
Rescue personnel were able to free the city workers but the on-looker did not survive. He was later identified as Patrick Parks, 52, of Joaquin.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department and the Logansport Fire Department for their assistance with the rescue and recovery.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office extends prayers for the Parks family.
No further information is available.
May 10, 2017 (2:17am) - Tragedy struck Joaquin Tuesday evening, May 9, 2017 when three men became trapped in a large hole and one man doesn't survive.
Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to East Saddle Street for a man trapped in a hole at 6:57pm on Tuesday.
Emergency personnel from the surrounding area, as well as DeSoto Fire Department out of Logansport responded to assist. The men were in a deep excavated hole. Two men were rescued and one of them was life-flighted to University Health in Shreveport.
The mission then became to recover the third man who was buried beneath a wall of dirt which collapsed onto him. Heavy equipment was used to help move dirt while a vacuum truck was used to suction water and mud enabling emergency personnel to reach the victim. First responders worked diligently for hours until all involved were free of the pit at 11:36pm.
Justice of the Peace PCT 3, Margie Anderson, pronounced the fatality and Community Funeral Home transported him from the scene.
No names have been released at this time to allow time for family notification. More information on this incident will be provided as it is made available.
