Trending

Florida construction worker rescued from 30-foot, watery hole

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — A Florida construction worker was rescued Friday when he became partially submerged in a 30-foot, watery hole, authorities said.

>> Read more trending news

St. Lucie Fire District Chief Nate Spera said the rescue at the construction site in Port St. Lucie took two hours, Treasure Coast Newspapers reported. The worker had been trapped in chest-high water for an unspecific amount of time before a 911 call was made at 1:52 p.m. EDT, according to the newspaper.

“It’s one of the most draining rescues I’ve been a part of,” Spera told Treasure Coast Newspapers. “There was a lot of emotion when we were able to pull him out.”

St. Lucie County Fire Rescue, Martin County Fire Rescue, Port St. Lucie Police Department and the City of Port St. Lucie Utilities combined to free the worker, WPEC reported.

The construction workers were clearing land for development, Spera told Treasure Coast Newspapers. As workers were clearing out a watery hole, the worker’s leg became stuck in the wet sand the pump failed, St. Lucie County Fire District said in a Facebook post.

Crew members contacted firefighters and secured the man to a pulley from a crane to keep him upright, Spera told Treasure Coast Newspapers. The man was given a breathing apparatus as water rose to his chest.

“He was underwater most of the time we were there,” Spera told the newspaper.

The worker was transported to an area hospital for observation, WPEC reported.