With pipeline protests in recent weeks, the Northern Lights Task Force wants to warn the public of the potential dangers of the trench area of the pipeline.
Protesters have entered trench areas, causing potential to themselves, workers and possible rescue personnel, a news release stated Tuesday, Feb. 2.
Entering into trenches can be unsafe, with the potential of them collapsing quickly and without warning, the release stated. About 25 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from trench incidents, many of which are caused by respiratory failure, broken bones and severe damage to internal organs. The damage is caused by the force of the dirt/rocks collapsing on the person. A person buried in just 18 inches of soil will have up to 3,000 pounds of force exerted onto their bodies.
The likelihood of death is amplified as the rescue of people in trench incidents is usually very protracted. Specialty rescue teams are used for these types of incidents due to the high level of danger.
The Northern Lights Task Force continues to strongly encourage people to use safe areas when exercising their First Amendment Rights.
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The Northern Lights Task Force consists of law enforcement leaders from the counties of Kittson, Becker, Marshall, Pennington, Red Lake, Carlton, St. Louis, Aitkin, Kanabec, Clearwater, Polk, Hubbard, Wadena, Cass, Crow Wing, Beltrami, Itasca and the Fond du Lac Reservation.
