This morning three workers became trapped when they investigated the reason for the newly-paved Long Key Road was settling. Their investigation took them inside a drainage manhole, from which none of them came out alive. The three victims were working on a road project for Douglas N. Higgins, General Contractor.
When first responders arrived on scene, a volunteer firefighter with Ley Largo Volunteer Fire Department and two deputies with Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, they had to go inside the manhole themselves in an attempt to rescue the three workers. Two of the workers who had collapsed, probably due to some toxic fumes, were pronounced dead at the scene. Later in the day, the body of the third worker was recovered hours later, deeper inside the manhole.
Once the rescue was over, the volunteer firefighter also collapsed and was emergently transported to Mariners Hospital. Soon after, the two deputies part of the rescue were also sent to the Hospital. However, due to the firefighter’s condition qualified as critical, he was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami at Ryder Trauma Center.
Justin received his juris doctor degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law, graduating at the top of his class, and was inducted to the Order of the Coif. He holds a bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from the University of Central Florida. Since graduation, Justin has actively litigated hundreds of cases for the firm’s statewide practice, obtaining outstanding results in complex personal injury matters.
The firm of Leesfield & Partners has promoted water safety and the necessity of regulating parasailing activities which coupled with snorkeling, diving, fishing, and boating are a huge industry for Monroe County residents. Now, there is an added safety fact as cell phone use and texting creep into the prevention and safety issues surrounding water activities that require full concentration.