A backhoe operator in Middle Tennessee was rescued Tuesday after the rock and dirt hole he was digging collapsed, leaving him buried alive for nearly half a day, authorities said.
Around 11:20 p.m., firefighters responded to a landslide on Keg Springs Road in the Hampshire community of Lewis County, where a chert pit face collapsed onto the backhoe, destroying the equipment and its operator, Morley. It was discovered that it was completely buried. This was announced by the Prefectural Fire Department.
Only a small portion of the backhoe roof was visible from below the chart. Chert is a hard, compact sedimentary rock composed mostly of quartz.
“Miraculously, we were able to make verbal contact with the trapped equipment operator. He was discovered approximately 12 hours earlier by a concerned family member who could not be reached by phone,” fire officials said. .
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A chert pit that a backhoe operator was digging in Lewis County, Tennessee, collapsed on Tuesday, leaving a man buried alive for half a day. (Maury County Fire Department)
The trapped operator said only his head and one arm were on the collapsed earth in a small cavity just below Yumbo’s roof. Rescue workers installed pipes going down into the cleared area to create a flow of fresh air for the operators.
Only a small portion of the roof of the backhoe was visible. Rescue workers installed a pipe in a small gap under the roof of the equipment to give the operators fresh air. (Maury County Fire Department)
Heavy equipment operated by civilians and public works workers arrived and helped the backhoe dig out with “incredible skill and precision,” which officials said was critical to the success of the operation.
Rescuers used heavy equipment and shovels to dig out the soil around the backhoe. (Maury County Fire Department)
Firefighters from Maury and Lewis counties dug holes with shovels and formed “bucket brigades” to remove dirt around backhoes.
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Rescue workers removed dirt from around the sides of the backhoe and cut off the roof with a rotary saw. The Maury County Highway Department used chains to support the roof and lift it off the equipment.
Workers dug deep enough to cut through part of the backhoe’s roof with a rotary saw to reach the buried operator. (Maury County Fire Department)
Rescuers then manually dug out more dirt from around the trapped operator and hoisted him to safety using a backhoe. He was treated at the scene and then airlifted to hospital.
The backhoe operator was conscious and able to communicate with rescuers throughout the ordeal. (Maury County Fire Department)
The fire department said, “The operator was conscious and talking throughout the accident, and even assisted in dislodging mud from his body.” “We wish him a speedy recovery.”
An update on the operator’s condition was not immediately available.
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The Maury County Fire Department thanked all agencies and civilians who responded to the incident.
