FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. --
A woman said she is glad she's OK after she fell into a deep hole in front of a Fayette County health clinic.
Channel 2 Action News reporter Tom Regan was there as the woman was released from the hospital Wednesday afternoon. The woman, identified only as Jennifer, said she's thankful to be out.
"The ground just opened up and I just slipped in," said Jennifer.
News Chopper 2 flew over the hole in Fayette County as emergency workers crowded the scene Wednesday morning.
Jennifer was trapped for a little over 30 minutes before a co-worker finally heard her screams for help and called 911.
"She had stepped off the paved porch and there was ground that gave way. We do believe it's the remnants of an old well," said Capt. Bill Rieck with the Fayetteville Fire Department.
On the surface, the hole looked harmless, but the 2 foot wide sinkhole was enough to entrap the health clinic employee.
Rescuers said she slipped into the hole and dropped 13-15 feet into a cave-like trench.
"We estimate the distance from her head to the top of the ground was at least 8 feet," said Rieck.
City and county fire rescue crews arrived and were able to pull Jennifer from the hole in 20 minutes.
"Apparently her yelling for help alerted an individual to search the premises and eventually he came out and located her in the hole beneath the ground," said Rieck.
The walkway will remain closed until the sinkhole can be filled.
"I wasn't really thinking that I was afraid. Actually (I was scared) that there may be a snake but that's it," Jennifer said.
She suffered only cuts and bruises and said she can't wait to get back to work.
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