IFD Trench Rescue S Mitthoeffer and Rawles

11:15 AM - A 36 year old man is alive, uninjured and recovering at home after #IFD firefighters made an aggressive rescue to free the man from a trench at S Mitthoeffer and Rawles Ave. The man, had been working in the Grass Creek Housing addition, laying sewer pipe, when the trench he was working in, collapsed and buried him 8 feet deep.
On arrival, 4 firefighters from Station 43 alternated turns in the trench and began digging in the location the co-worker provided. Other firefighters commandeered available materials from the construction site and established rudimentary shoring for the trench.
The firefighters in the trench were able to verbally communicate with the man, and hear muffled sounds, but did not visibly see him. Within 5-6 minutes of digging they were able to create a hole large enough for fresh air to enter the space where they believed man was located. Within 20 minutes the 4 firefighters from Station 43 had the man’s head completely uncovered.
The aggressive actions of the 4 members from IFD EG43 and LD43, clearly gave this victim the best chance at survival and prevented critical injury.
The man, told firefighters that he was “fine” but the dirt was heavy and that he had lost feeling in his legs. Station 43 firefighters stated he was surprisingly calm despite being buried. The man told firefighters that he had been in the trench about 30 minutes before it collapsed and was completely buried for about 40 minutes before IFD arrived. He stated that as the dirt fell around him, he buffered his face with his arms which created a pocket of space underneath the dirt. He was able to breathe enough air to stay alert but was reported as having difficulty breathing at the time IFD was dispatched.
The IFD Collapse Rescue Team arrived at 11:41 AM and continued the digging and shoring efforts needed to remove the man from the trench. He was placed on Oxygen (O2) at 11:42 AM. Removal of the dirt in its muddy, compact and heavy state proved the biggest hurdle along with the continued need to build out and adjust shoring efforts as dirt was removed from the trench. The additional manpower from the Hancock County Technical Rescue Team, the use of shovels, hand tools, an air knife and the Greenfield Vac Truck, were vital to the successful completion of this mission.
IFD Collapse Rescue Team crews rotated in and out of the trench in 20-30 minute increments and were assisted in the rotation by the Hancock County team upon their arrival. As he was able, the man assisted rescuers with removing dirt from around his body, both by hand and with a shovel. This was an all hands-on deck mitigation.
At 2:38 PM, the victim was freed and assisted out of the trench. Total extrication time was 3 hours and 23 minutes.
He was transported to Eskenazi Hospital by IEMS Medic 42 where he was checked for injuries and released. No broken bones and no hypothermia.
Agencies on scene and assisting IFD with the incident:
Sugar Creek Fire Department
Greenfield Fire Department
Greenfield Wastewater Utility vacuum truck was used for dirt and water removal (requested by IFD Command at 11:24 AM)
IFD Fire Buffs Rehab Support Unit
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD)
Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services (IEMS)
Department of Public Works (DPW)

[@lcgaunnac1]

Thank God the first responders came quickly, worked so diligently, and freed this man, saving his life!

[@dottiekey5330]

Awesome job done by all the first responders involved with the rescue at Mithoffer & Rawles!!!

[@tctcllc6949]

Impressive

[@elizabethdopita7357]

Bravo! Job well done!