Duty of Care

On Friday, October 9, 2026, Rafael Peralta, 56, of West Babylon, New York, died after he was submerged in water while working underground when a water main broke in the area of Ring Road in Uniondale, New York, according to Nassau County police as reported by News 12 Long Island.

Police said they responded at about 11:15 a.m. Detectives said he had been working underground when water from the broken main submerged the area. His co-workers pulled him out and lifesaving measures were performed, and he was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Town of Hempstead Water Department helped shut off the main. What caused the break, and the employer, had not been reported.

For construction crews working below grade near water mains, the defenses to check are locating and protecting nearby lines before work, a plan for sudden water inflow with a fast shutoff contact, a quick way out, and a rescue plan that does not depend on co-workers entering a flooded space.

• News 12 Long Island