City releases statement on trench collapse; scene still under investigation

Rescue workers remove their helmets in prayer before a second body is removed from the trench. — Rescue workers remove their helmets in prayer with Fr. Fred Gatschet before a second body is removed from the trench about 9:25 p.m. Tuesday.

From Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler:

On Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at 1:36 p.m. the emergency communications center received a 911 call of a trench collapse in the 700 block of Main Street. Three J Corp workers were in the trench at the time of the collapse. Emergency personnel responded to the scene and one worker was rescued from the trench. Two other victims were trapped in the trench and rescue efforts were unsuccessful.

Hays Fire Department and the Ellis County Rural Fire Department were assisted by APAC Inc. in the recovery of the victims. The victims have been identified as James “Jake” Jacobs, 67, and Aaron Pfannenstiel, 45. Jacobs and Pfannenstiel were pronounced dead at the scene.

Work underway on the sewer line repair about 11 a.m. Tuesday prior to the trench collapse 90 minutes later.. — Work underway on the sewer line repair about 11 a.m. Tuesday prior to the trench collapse 90 minutes later.

Downtown traffic was diverted for several hours as a safety precaution and to allow responders to work the scene. The scene is still under investigation and we ask that the public stays out of the work area.

On behalf of the Hays Police Department and the City of Hays, our condolences go out to J Corp and the families of the deceased.