Johannesburg - A man trapped in a water-filled trench at a residential property in Orient Hill in Isipingo, was freed on Saturday night after an 11-hour rescue operation, paramedics said.
The 29-year-old man was rushed to Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital after his ordeal, ER24 spokeswoman Luyanda Majija said.
“The man is in a stable condition and is now being treated for his suspected severe pelvic fracture and leg injuries.
“ER24 paramedics, fire department personnel and SAPS Search and Rescue worked for approximately 11 hours to rescue the man.”
It was believed that the man was building a retainer wall, when his leg got stuck in debris at the bottom of a deep trench around 9am.
Rescue workers had to contend with difficult circumstances, as water kept pouring into the trench as quickly as it could be drained out.
The man was submerged up to the waist at times during the rescue, Majija said. - Sapa