By Robin Pyle
The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
LUBBOCK, Texas — Emergency responders rescued a woman trapped under a six-inch thick piece of solid concrete Tuesday afternoon.
The woman’s head was pinned under the concrete — which was 20-foot long and 4-foot wide — while working on a remodeling project at the South University Veterinary Hospital, 7801 University Ave, said Steve Odorizzi, division chief with the Lubbock Fire Department.
About two dozens first responders were called to the hospital at about 3:15 p.m., getting on scene within four minutes, Odorizzi said.
The fire department’s heavy rescue team stacked wood around the concrete to stabilize and support it and then used air bags to safely lift it up.
“There was a lot of good team work, and she was extremely fortunate,” Odorizzi said. “It could have ended terribly.”
The woman, an employee at the animal hospital, was conscious and talking, he said.
But she could have suffered brain damage if not rescued quickly. Odorizzi said if she had been pinned under the piece of concrete for too long her blood wouldn’t have been able to circulate.
The woman, whose name Odorizzi declined to release, was taken to University Medical Center.
Officials advised the animal hospital to call professionals to finish the remodeling job.
Copyright 2009