Trapped Man Rescued From Trench

Staff and Wire Reports

LAWTON, Okla. -- Emergency crews have rescued a 29-year-old man who was trapped after a trench collapsed around him in southwest Lawton.

The man was freed about 2 a.m. Wednesday after more than 14 hours in the trench. He was flown to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City.

His name hasn't been released but authorities say he was conscious and talking with paramedics.

Comanche County spokesman Chris Killmer says the man was trapped about nine feet below ground level when the trench collapsed just before noon Tuesday.

Lawton firefighters were able to remove some dirt and debris near the man to allow him to breathe easier and paramedics administered fluids to him intravenously during the ordeal.

"This was touch and go a lot of times," said Deputy Chief Cecil Clay with the Oklahoma City Fire Department. "I mean, an extreme amount of pressure on these fellas to get in and do what they did."

Crews also lowered a radio to the man so he could speak to family at the scene.