Wisconsin Worker Falls into Vault, Rescued

Nov. 11--An electrical worker fell 31 feet into a concrete vault Monday on the Epic Systems campus in Verona, authorities said.

Verona Fire Chief Joseph Giver said rescue workers used a basket to lift out the worker, whose injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.

"She was alert, oriented, talking to everyone," Giver said. "She's lucky to be in the shape she is."

Giver said the worker might have suffered a leg injury.

The 911 center said the 26-year-old woman fell down a hole that was about five feet in diameter.

Steve Wisnefsky, chief financial officer for J.P. Cullen & Sons of Janesville, said the woman, who worked for subcontractor Morse Electric, Inc., was taken to UW Hospital.

Mike Daniel, safety director for Morse, said the worker, who was part of an electrical crew that was going to work on a geothermal system, was climbing down a ladder when she fell.

An investigation is ongoing, Daniel said.

Givers said his department received the call at 1:19 p.m., and the worker was lifted from the hole at 1:59 p.m.

Members of the Fitchburg and Madison fire departments assisted, he said.

-- Bill Novak of madison.com contributed to this report.

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