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1 dead, 3 FFs electrocuted in Fla. sidewalk collapse

Officials said the Seminole County firefighters were engaged in a rescue attempt and unaware of exposed wires nearby

Update Aug. 28, 2020, 3:44 p.m. ET: Officials report that three Seminole County firefighters were electrocuted attempting to rescue a county worker who became trapped after a sidewalk collapsed.

Seminole County Fire Chief Otto Drozd III said during a press conference that a county environmental services employee was repairing a water main when the sidewalk collapsed, trapping the worker in a hole, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

Firefighters were attempting to extricate the worker and were unaware of exposed wires in the hole, causing three of them to become electrocuted, Drozd said. The three firefighters were transported to the hospital as a precaution and are in stable condition.

Authorities said it is unclear what caused the county employee’s death, and that the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office has launched an accidental death investigation.

Original report

Richard Tribou
Orlando Sentinel

LAKE MARY, Fla. — One person is dead and three firefighters have been injured in a sidewalk collapse incident in Lake Mary, according to the Seminole County Fire Department.

The incident took place in the 200 block of Chiswell Place near Markham Woods Road at Heathrow Woods in Lake Mary, according to fire officials.

FOX 35 reported emergency vehicles on scene including ladders descending into a hole created by a collapsed sidewalk.

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©2020 The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Fla.)

This is a developing story and will be updated as new information becomes available.

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