Rescue workers recovered the body of a construction worker who died after being trapped in a trench when a retaining wall collapsed at a worksite. The New York Times reported that the accident happened on September 12 at approximately 1:30 p.m. A group of construction workers was digging a trench 30 feet below street level at the site, located at 39th Street and Seventh Avenue in Sunset Park, when part of the wall started to fall down. As a result, rubble had fallen into the trench and on top of the workers. The Times said approximately one-third of the wall came down.

All but one worker were rescued. Firefighters, police officers and members of the Emergency Services Unit responded to the scene and attempted to rescue the worker, but their efforts were hampered by rain, according to The New York Daily News.

Durability+Design reported that, as of September 12 at 5 p.m., the mission changed from rescue to recovery. The body of the victim, identified by D+D as Luis Almonte, was not recovered until the next day. Members of the Building Department and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and a group of engineers investigated the incident. The two contractors on this project — Ground to Sky City Builders Corp. and WSC Group LLC — have no history of violations with either agency and their permits for the project were in order. However, City Councilman Carlos Menchaca called for investigations into any projects these contractors currently have open.