A man who was

accidentally buried in a trench April 1 while working on a water line

project was rescued by firefighters.

According to

officials, the victim, a Hispanic male, was in a 12-foot deep trench and

was buried up to his chest at a location on New Hope Road, said Chief

Allen McCullough of the Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency

Services.

Because the

trench wasn't shored up, only one firefighter went down to check the man's

vital signs, McCullough noted. He was alert and conscious and could speak

and breathe, the chief added.

If the victim's

condition deteriorated, officials planned to remove the victim quickly,

but since he was stable they decided to call Clayton County's specialized

trench rescue team for assistance, McCullough said.

"We wanted

to play it safe," McCullough said, explaining that the county historically

hasn't had survivors from such accidents.

"Our goal

was for us to put a ladder in and have the victim walk out," McCullough

said. But through an interpreter, the victim said he felt too weak and

short of breath to climb the ladder, McCullough added.

Clayton County's

team used special equipment to lift the victim out of the trench. The

victim was then taken to Southern Regional Medical Center, where he was

held for observation and later released.

Although it

took a lot of manpower to work the rescue, McCullough said it was justified

because of the safety precautions that were necessary. When Clayton County

responded with assistance, it sent several apparatus to the scene, he

added.

"There

may have been 40 people there," McCullough said. "But it took

those 40 people to do it right."