Drain worker stuck in 14-foot-hole in Minneapolis rescued hours later
A drain worker is expected to recover after he spent most of the night stuck in a 14-foot hole in south Minneapolis.
According to the city fire department, firefighters were dispatched shortly before 9:30 p.m. Wednesday to respond to a report of a worker stuck in a hole on the 3800 block of 13th Avenue South.
Officials say a two-man plumbing crew was working on an underground water line when the supports they set up gave way, trapping one of them in the sand.
When firefighters arrived, they found a man stuck in a "minimally shored-up hole" who was pinned by sand up past his waist, officials said.
"He's just so encapsulated. Every time you move, the sluff happens. It doesn't matter if he wiggles his toes or moves his knees a little bit, it activates the sand to backfill," Minneapolis Fire Battallion Chief Sean Thomas said.
A street department vacuum truck later assisted in suctioning sand out of the hole, while fire crews set up equipment to pull the man out as sand was being removed. Rescue crews also needed to stabilize the sides of the hole to keep sand from collapsing back in on the man, officials said.
St. Paul fire crews were called in several hours later for additional assistance. Meanwhile, a Hennepin County medical team provided periodic care to the worker.
Officials say the worker was pulled out after about six hours and was able to walk on his own to the ambulance. He was taken to an area hospital for medical evaluation and treatment.
No other injuries were reported.
Gene Anderson, who lives nearby, says plumbing crews first came on Tuesday after his basement flooded.
"It's been a mess. It's been a real mess trying to get this thing fixed. The neighbors next door are on the same line," he said.
He now has a whole new appreciation for what has to get done.
OSHA investigators are reviewing the incident.
The plumbing company, Drain Works, did not respond to WCCO's requests for comment.
