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Man rescued after 7 hours stuck in trench in Omaha

Posted at 8:30 AM, Mar 14, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-14 17:39:15-04

Omaha Fire Rescue crews have rescued a 23-year-old worker out of a 7-to-8 feet deep hole after he was stuck for seven hours in the mud. 

OFD officials said the rescue call came at around 9:45 a.m. local time Tuesday. According to OFD, a private utility worker was making sewer repairs at a home when the hole he was working on collapsed. As of 1 p.m., officials said they were closer to being able to pull the construction worker out of the trench.

By 3 p.m., the person's family was on site, after nearly five hours of the worker being stuck in the trench. After 4 p.m., crews were able to free the man.

The dirt was reportedly up to his knees as emergency workers are tried to remove dirt and pull him to safety. Officials added that the man is fully awake and is taking to the rescue crews. 

At this time, OFD crews are pumping oxygen down to the man for quality air. They added that hypothermia is a concern during this rescue.

In addition to OFD, other crews are working the scene. The area is blocked off at this time.