Injured Man Freed From Baltimore Trench

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- There was a rescue below street level Tuesday afternoon in Baltimore when a man fell into an open trench.

Alex DeMetrick was there when the rescue happened.

Trenching work in the 42-hundred block of Crawford Avenue being done for a gas line became a technical rescue operation.

One man in trouble brought a major response. At the center of it was Baltimore City Fire's Collapse Rescue Team.

Neighbors said it started when coworkers rushed the trench.

"And when we seen 'em, we go `Oh my God, oh my God, my God, what's going on?'" said neighbor Eric Harris.

One of the workers had fallen down into the 10-foot deep hole and was injured.

"Definitely not a collapse. However, our special operation units, once they came on the scene, they had to shore up the walls," said Baltimore City Fire Department Chief Roman Clark. "To avoid the walls from collapsing as they were making an attempt to rescue out of this particular situation."

A two-hour effort in an environment that can't be rushed.

"Well, we have everybody at risk in situations like this," Clark said.

For neighbors watching this rescue, there was admiration.

"Amazing rescue. Just amazing to see that. Amazing operation; no question about it," said neighbor Warren Turner.

Because of the nature of that rescue, the man was treated as a priority one patient by paramedics, who rushed him to Shock Trauma in critical condition.

Baltimore's fire department says an investigation into the trench accident will take place.