Excavation Collapse Kills Chelsea Man

Angelo Corsino, a Chelsea water department worker, died when the bottom of a ditch in which he was repairing a leak in a water pipe broke through and opened up a fissure in the earth.

On May 1, 1948 excavation work was being done on Second Street by members of the Chelsea water department in an effort to repair a water leak. Suddenly the ground gave way and Angelo Corsino disappeared. He was seen to fall 30 feet into and underground void by Joseph Welch, a co-worker who was about to jump into the ditch but was prevented by another worker. Detective Abraham Burgin heard the cries of the men from where he was standing at Second and Chestnut Streets and ran to the hole. He flashed a light and could see 30 feet down but in a few seconds the hole filled up with falling dirt and sand. Corsino had disappeared deep into the hole and was nowhere to be found. Work began immediately to try to locate and recover the body. The city of Chelsea appropriated $25,000 to search for the body, but the MDC took over when leaks were found in the nine-foot sewer, which passes through the ground, 27 feet below Second Street. The state sent an additional $100,000.00. For over two months digging operations continued. Workmen were constantly hampered by quicksand, mud and landslides. Wooden sheathing was driven into the ground to prevent further cave-ins. Well points were sunk to dry out the quicksand so the men could break through the side of the sheathing facing Chestnut Street. Evidence was finally obtained that the body might be close to the sewer at the spring line about 32 feet down and several test holes were made. Pumps continued day and night in an effort to keep back the water The body was finally located on Friday July 9, 1948 after 68 days of searching. The body was lying on its side with the head close to the sheathing. A rope was placed around the body in the event another slide occurred. Hampered by the tide forcing back the ground water, operations were stopped during high tides. On Saturday July 10, the opening in the sheathing was made larger and the men worked under difficult conditions clearing the clay and sand from around his body so he could be pulled free. His body was in a fair state of preservation and was taken out intact, 69 days after the accident. Dr. William C. Brickley, medical examiner for this district, was present throughout the day and took charge of the body. He announced that the death was accidental and was caused by multiple injuries, crushed chest and abdomen and a fractured spine. The medical examiner said the death of the local water department worker and the subsequent search for his body was one of the most unusual in his ten years experience. Angelo Corsino was a WW2 veteran and served in the army from October 22, 1942 to May 10, 1943, when he received a medical discharge. He was married to the former Marie Ferrante of Somerville and made his home on Tremont Street. He left behind his mother and father, Alexander and Clara Corsino; three brothers, Samuel, Louis and John of Chelsea; three sisters, Mrs. Nellie Skrudges of Lynn, Mrs. Grace Colontonio and Mrs. Julia Luggerio of Chelsea. He was burried in Holy Cross Cemetary in Malden.