Trending Topics

San Francisco firefighters rescue man trapped in sewer pipe

Firefighters reportedly had to wait for an OSHA permit before entering the pipe

By Don Sweeney
The Charlotte Observer

SAN FRANCISCO — A report of screams from a manhole in San Francisco led firefighters to rescue a man trapped in a sewer pipe below the street, California rescuers reported.

The rescue took place at about 4:40 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 18, on the Great Highway along the western edge of the city, San Francisco firefighters said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

A man somehow entered the pipe and crawled inside about 20 feet below the street before encountering a drop and falling on his head, Lt. Mariano Elias told KRON.

A passerby heard his screams from a manhole and notified authorities at 3:41 a.m., Elias told the station.

Dozens of firefighters used a fan, ropes and rescue baskets to pull the man to safety at about 5:15 a.m., KTVU reported. He was taken to a hospital with serious injuries.

The Great Highway is a park promenade running along the western edge of San Francisco overlooking the Pacific Ocean, San Francisco Recreation & Parks said.

©2024 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Trending
As firsthand witnesses grow fewer, the retired Shanksville fire chief considers what “Never Forget” means for those with no personal memory of 9/11
Grapevine firefighters cited concerns over staffing, fire response capabilities, communication and morale after department changes replaced an engine with an EMS-focused squad
The union censured Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess over the prosecution of a paramedic and an Annapolis alderman over opposition to additional EMS staffing
Hialeah firefighters have opened contract talks seeking raises and improved staffing as the department struggles to retain personnel, maintain four-person crews and recruit paramedics