EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. (AP) - A trench collapsed at a construction site here Wednesday, trapping two workers for about three hours.

Both men were freed early Wednesday afternoon and taken to a hospital in neighboring Grand Forks, N.D. Their conditions were not immediately known.

"At the end, there was a smile that came from the last victim out, which meant a lot to the family. … Hopefully, all will be well," East Grand Forks fire Chief Frank Ringstad said.

Emergency workers from the area got a call for help about 9:40 a.m.

Ringstad said the two construction workers were trapped in a trench that collapsed around them. They were working on a section of 10-inch sewer pipe about 15 feet below surface. Their names were not immediately released.

"It's unclear what they were doing at the time, whether they were coming out of the hole or going into the hole. All of those things will be talked about," Ringstad said.

Ringstad said emergency workers were able to keep in contact with them, supply them with oxygen and provide limited medical attention.

Emergency workers built earthen retention walls and used earthen vacuum trucks, a forklift and crane to help with the rescue effort.