OAK FOREST, Ill. — A demolition project in Oak Forest turned dangerous this week when a Caterpillar excavator operated by McDonagh Demolition tipped over into a void at the worksite, trapping its operator for nearly an hour.

The heavy machine, which was equipped with a breaker attachment, was working near a section of older pavement when the surface unexpectedly gave way. Video footage from the scene shows the pavement collapse, opening up a deep hole beneath the excavator’s tracks. The sudden drop caused the machine to tip into the opening, pinning the operator inside the cab.

Emergency crews responded quickly and worked for about an hour to safely extract the trapped worker. The injured operator was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The extent of the operator’s injuries has not yet been released.

No other workers were reported injured, but the incident has prompted questions about site safety, soil conditions, and pre-demolition inspections.

Local authorities say an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the collapse and whether soil subsidence or hidden underground voids may have contributed to the accident.

The machine’s breaker attachment indicates that crews were likely demolishing pavement or breaking up concrete at the time. A void or underground cavity can develop under old infrastructure, especially if stormwater runoff or erosion has weakened the base layer over time.

McDonagh Demolition has not released an official statement but is expected to cooperate fully with investigators and regulators as they review site safety protocols.

Residents living near the Oak Forest site expressed concern after video of the tipped machine circulated on social media. Heavy equipment tipping is among the most serious hazards on demolition and excavation sites, especially in urban areas with aging underground infrastructure.

As the operator recovers, crews are assessing the area to prevent any further collapses and to stabilize the site so work can safely resume.

This incident highlights the critical importance of pre-construction site surveys and real-time monitoring when using heavy equipment near unstable surfaces or older pavement sections.

Originally reported by Construction Equipment.