LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A construction worker was rescued at 8:26 p.m. after being completely buried by rubble on Thursday.
Louisville Fire crews arrived to the scene at 316 East Chestnut Street about 11:45 a.m. to rescue a construction worker who was trapped after falling several feet underground. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said the incident happened at the former Community Correctional Facility, which is being demolished.
According to Fire Chief Brian O'Neill, at about 11:40 a.m., six workers were at the site when one worker fell 10-12 feet into a "void space."
Louisville Fire crews responded immediately, arriving on scene within minutes. The chief called this type of rescue a combination of a "trench rescue" and "confine-space rescue."
"I've never seen anything like this, O'Neill said. "All credit goes to the firefighters that were working out here today."
He also called it a "successful rescue."
There was rubble and debris on top of the worker, however, officials said he was breathing and talking to first responders. The man trapped underground was Spanish-speaking only, and a Spanish-speaking captain at the scene has been communicating with the worker.
In an update Thursday evening, the chief said there was no set timeframe on when they will get him out of the rubble, but there was "strong progress" made in their rescue efforts.
O'Neill said once they cleared enough debris around his chest and arms, they provided oxygen and medical attention.
He said crews moved very slowly and carefully to ensure no additional debris fell down onto the person.
The mayor said the rescue could "take a while." The fire chief initially said it may take up to three hours to get to the trapped person.
"He is breathing and talking to us," he said early Thursday. "We're doing everything we can."
It's been a taxing week for the department, which responded to a fatal factory explosion on Tuesday.
"This is what they're hired to do and trained to do," O'Neill said. "They're ready 24/7."
The construction worker is being assessed at the hospital, and his family is there with him the chief said.
Greenberg thanked everyone involved.
"This has been a challenging week for the fire department and all first responders," Greenberg said. "A giant thanks on behalf of the city of Louisville to the fire department and first responders."
City officials announced earlier this year that the old Community Correctional Facility, which closed in 2020, would be demolished this fall to make way for a future park and greenspace in the heart of LOUMED.
You can watch the rescue below
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