Monday 17th February 2014 – 5.30pm – Suzie Fothergill.
A man had to be rescued from a trench after one of the sides collapsed in.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the incident on Barclay Road in Smethwick shortly after 2.20pm today.
An ambulance, a rapid response vehicle, a paramedic area support officer, the Hazardous Area Response Team, the Trust’s MERIT rapid response vehicle and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford, both carrying a critical care paramedic and a trauma doctor, attended the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews were called to reports of a man who had become trapped in a trench that he had been working in. It is believed that one of the sides collapsed in on the hole, which was approximately 18 feet deep.
“On arrival at the scene crews could only see the man’s head. Ambulance personnel quickly dug away some of the earth to help free the man.
“Emergency services worked closely together for over two and a half hours to extricate the man safely from the trench. Crews used specialist stretcher equipment and a hoist to finally release him from the hole.
“The man, believed to be in his early 20’s, was treated for chest and potential pelvic injuries and was conveyed to the Major Trauma Centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for further assessment and treatment.
“A trauma doctor travelled on board the ambulance along with the crew continuing to provide emergency medical treatment whilst en route to hospital.
“The hospital was pre-alerted and medics were on standby awaiting the arrival of the man.”
ENDS