New York State Firefighters Rescue Man From Collapsing Trench

ALBANY -- A private contractor working on a sewer line was rescued this morning from a collapsing trench after calling for help on his cell phone, fire officials said.

The 25-year-old man, whose name was not released, was taken to Albany Medical Center Hospital for evaluation after paramedics pulled him out of a ditch on the front lawn of a home on Pinewood Avenue.

The worker, who was alone, was in dirt up to his knees at 10:13 a.m., and as he tried to dig himself out, more dirt came down around him, Battalion Chief Mike Burns said. He was 2 to 3 feet underground when he made the call.