San Diego Fire-Rescue crews saved a person trapped up to his waist in dirt in a trench in Grantville, according to officials.
The hazard was created by an unstable dig by Ozzy's Plumbing Service in the 4800 block of Elsa Street. Since last Saturday, employees began digging to repair the sewer line between a house and the street.
Dr. Laurel Herbst, a neighbor, said the work continued, even without trench supports.
"They said they were trying to get the shoring plates to put in, but they haven't been delivered," said Herbst. "They kept calling the city for help, but they're busy."
The situation became dangerous around 3:47 p.m. Friday, when the sides of the 15-foot trench partially collapsed around a plumbing contractor.
The falling dirt surrounded him to his waist, trapping him.
"Probably saved his life; if anymore dirt fell on that guy, he'd quit breathing," said Glen Holder, a SDFD Battalion Chief.
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Rescuers worked quickly, placing ladders across the hole and reaching down to get the man out before he was buried fully in dirt.
The job is now on hold, pending an investigation by CAL/OSHA. An investigator on site said the dirt from the hole is piled too close. Holder told NBC 7 the trench is not properly supported and a large back hoe is also too close to the edge.
"You're risking an employee's life, and for firefighters, this is the most dangerous rescue there is," said Holder. "I would argue that a trench rescue is more dangerous then going into a structure fire."
The victim was rescued by 4:15 p.m. and was evaluated for injuries. The man told NBC 7 said he is OK, but his coworkers did not want to talk about the incident.
Firefighters are evaluating the dig to see what kind of citations to issue.
