One worker died and two others are in hospital with serious injuries after a well collapsed on them in North York on Wednesday afternoon.

It happened around 5:25 p.m., in the area of ​​Bayview Avenue and Ruddington Drive, just north of Finch Avenue East.

Police said they were fixing a sewer line at the time.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday night, Toronto Fire Platoon Chief Chris Rowland said workers were inspecting water pipes and had inserted a camera inside their excavation, which had not been shored up.

“Then the weight of the dirt, a piece of it slid down the back of the hole and collapsed on top of one of the workers and trapped two of the others,” Rowland said.

While crews had ladders, ropes and shovels to help with the rescue, Rowland said they had to dig by hand since most of the ground was directly above the workers.

“These guys were probably inside digging by hand for almost an hour to get them all out,” Rowland said.

Crews were only able to remove two workers.

While Rowland was unable to provide an update on the patients, he confirmed that the two had been transported to the hospital. Police said they are currently recovering in hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

“In my 38 years, I have never seen danger like this.”

Police said the Ministry of Labor took over the investigation.