Aftermath

    The Chester County construction worker who was injured Tuesday during a trench collapse has been released from the hospital. The Pottstown Mercury reports 21-year-old Otis Smothers suffered minor injuries in the collapse, which happened on the Linden Street Bridge in Allentown.

    Smothers’ best friend and coworker, 21-year-old Michael Wilson, died in the collapse.

    Authorities are investigating J.D. Eckman, Inc., the company working on the bridge. Eckman, which has had 11 violations in the last five years, says it’s cooperating with the investigation and will help provide counseling for employees who need it.

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