A Utah worker was lucky to survive Tuesday when he collapsed into a 10-foot-deep ditch while digging in his backyard, burying himself up to his chin, authorities said.
American Fork Battalion Chief Justin Whatcott told reporters that around 1:10 p.m., three contract workers were working on the homeowner’s sewer line when they ran into a ditch at a home in Cedar Hills. Firefighters were called to the collapse.
When first responders arrived, they found two workers attempting to dig out a 20-year-old male victim who was buried up to his chin under dirt and debris.
Rescue crews set up trench shoring to secure the area, and the Utah Valley Metro Special Response Team used vacuum trucks to remove mud and debris from around the victims, an operation that required “significant It takes time,” Whatcott said.
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The victim, a 20-year-old man, collapsed up to his jaw. Officials said he was conscious during the rescue, but he was taken to a hospital in critical condition. (American Fork Fire and Rescue)
“I think our victims were very fortunate,” the battalion chief said. “I think our crews did a very good and quick job to remove him.”
Mr Whatcott said the man remained conscious throughout the rescue operation.
Rescuers used special equipment to stabilize the ditch and rescue the buried victims. (American Fork Fire and Rescue)
After the man was safely exhumed, he was taken to a hospital in critical condition. No updates on the victim’s condition or identity were immediately released.
Officials said the three contract workers were working on a homeowner’s sewer wall. (American Fork Fire and Rescue)
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The cause of the ditch collapse is unknown. Whatcott said an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) team will investigate.
The incident comes less than a week after a backhoe operator was rescued in Tennessee after a cavern collapsed and buried him alive for 12 hours.
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Last month, while vacationing with her family in Florida, a 7-year-old Indiana girl died when a 5- to 6-foot-deep sand hole she and her brother dug on the beach collapsed, completely burying them.
