WOODLAND — A construction worker was airlifted from a Woodland work site Tuesday morning, June 3, after heavy machinery fell on him while inside a 15-foot trench.
Washington Labor and Industries reports the Vancouver-based contractor Rotschy, Inc. is the man’s employer. The organization has opened an investigation into Rotschy, an L&I spokesperson confirmed Tuesday afternoon.
Rotschy representative Nick Massie said the company is aware of the accident at one of their project sites and is working with investigators.
Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue reports the incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. near the corner of Lewis River and Insel roads, east of Woodland First Baptist Church.
Sam Lewis, a spokesperson for Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue, said the bucket from an excavator fell on the worker while he was in the trench. It took first responders an hour and a half to rescue the worker, then transport him by Life Flight.
Lewis could not provide further details on the injured man, like his age or city of residence, or which hospital he was transferred to.
The Vancouver Fire Department, Portland Fire & Rescue’s Technical Rescue Team and other local fire agencies also responded to the scene.
Rotschy’s history of L&I citations notably includes a six-figure fine for a 2023 incident in which a teen lost his legs working a job in La Center, as well as news in April that the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office is considering potential felony child labor law violations linked to the incident. Other citations accusing Rotschy of safety violations were issued as recently as April.
Rotschy is also the contractor on the Port of Longview’s $44 million rail expansion. In January, port commissioners voted 2-1 to authorize the contract despite outcry from labor leaders concerned about Rotschy’s checkered safety record.
“Our thoughts are with the individual involved and their family during this time,” Massie said in a statement about Tuesday’s accident.
