A construction worker was hospitalized following an hourslong rescue effort after he fell and got stuck in a trench at a National City construction site Thursday night.
The worker fell 6 to 10 feet into the trench at around 9:15 p.m. Dirt caved in and buried him from the stomach down, according to National City Battalion Chief and Fire Marshal, Robert Hernandez. The worker was stuck standing up and wasn't injured, Chief Hernandez said.
Roughly six hours of work later, the worker was rescued just before 4 a.m., according to Hernandez. The rescue was a “step-by-step, slow process," that was successful after crews slowly were able to free his legs one at a time.
Once freed, the worker was taken to an area hospital for evaluation. He was described as coherent and in good spirits, and was talking to his family prior to being hospitalized.
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The worker was at one point buried up to his abdomen but other workers on the construction crew were able to remove some dirt before firefighters arrived, Hernandez said.
Rescue team members from the National City, San Diego and Chula Vista fire departments were using several different tools to try and free the worker, including pullies and a high-powered vacuum in an attempt to suck away the dirt covering the worker's lower legs, according to Hernandez.
The rescue team had called on National City's Public Works Department to bring out an even stronger vacuum, Hernandez added.
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Hernandez said he would order a 24-hour pause on work at the site after the rescue so the city and the company could investigate and reassure the safety of the site.
The worker was part of a crew contracted by the city on a planned sewer project, according to Hernandez. Safety vests worn by other workers at the scene said Ortiz Corporation. NBC 7 reached out to the company for comment and was told to reach out during normal business hours.
