Watch the report HERE››
SNELLVILLE, Ga. -(11 Alive)- Firefighters worked quickly to rescue a worker who became trapped in a Snellville trench collapse.
The incident happened in the 1900 block of Rockside Lane SW around 7:30 p.m.
Officials said the technical rescue team worked to free a utility worker who was buried up to his chest in a trench that is about 8 to 10 feet deep.
The worker was trapped for over an hour as rescue workers carefully attempted to dig him out of the trench.
They also worked to get fresh warm air down to the man encased in dirt dipping to temperatures just above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
The man was conscious, breathing and communicating with rescuers at the time they arrived but workers said the small confined space and potential for further collapse made the rescue difficult.
Despite that, the man was rescued with what firefighters described as minor injuries.
A Gwinnett Fire spokesperson said the man was working to repair a water line in the front yard of a home. The department has filed a report with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to further investigate the incident.
The utility company he worked for was not released.
