Emerson Amestica,Wilmer Barzallo Obituary, Death; – Two construction workers who were trapped in a trench collapse in Catonsville on Friday have unfortunately lost their lives, as confirmed by officials.
Following a seven-hour rescue operation, officials from the Baltimore County Fire Department reported shortly before 7:30 p.m. that both individuals had been removed from the trench but were pronounced dead at the scene. The victims have been identified as 24-year-old Emerson Amestica and 32-year-old Wilmer Barzallo, according to a report by WJZ.
Emergency crews were dispatched to a residence in the 500 block of Academy Road at approximately 11:37 a.m. to assist the workers. Fire officials informed WJZ that the workers were in the process of reinforcing a brick retaining wall when it collapsed, burying them in a 6-foot trench. Around 50 to 60 fire and rescue personnel were present at the scene by 12:30 p.m., with assistance from firefighters from Baltimore City and Howard County.
Kevin Van Valkenburg, a local resident living near the site of the incident, described the collapse to the Baltimore Banner as sounding “like a small earthquake.” He recounted hearing the workers’ cries for help as others rushed to clear the debris. “It was evident that something serious had occurred,” Van Valkenburg stated to the Banner.
