Watch CBS News

Rescuers Save Woman Who Fell Into 10-Foot Hole After Concrete Steps Collapse

BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- A Lochearn woman is recovering after falling into a hole nearly 10-feet deep after the steps to her mother's home collapsed Thursday afternoon.

"Inches away from death, no question about it. In a dark hole, cold and she stuck it out -- she did great" said Chris Imbach, one of the specially trained rescuers who helped save Shantel Wiley after falling into the space with a concrete slab on top of her.

Imbach is a member of the Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company, the only all-volunteer confined space rescue team in Baltimore County. He worked alongside the fire department's urban search and rescue team.

"Any bad move could be deadly. We're talking about concrete not plywood," he said.

Baltimore County officials say the concrete steps at the home in the 3500 block of Venetian Road crumbled around 3:15 p.m. as Wiley stepped out onto the front porch. She was underground for more than an hour, conscious and talking.

Her mother, Jacqueline Canada, was inside the house when the incident happened.

"She said 'Mom, pray,' and I prayed and I had peace from that point on. It was a little hard just watching, not being able to touch or see her, but I knew it would work out," she said.

Once rescuers performed the delicate operation to remove the slab, Wiley was able to climb out on a ladder.

"To say she's incredibly lucky would be an understatement," Imbach said. "How that slab stopped inches above her head, she must have said a prayer that morning when she got up."

"Of course she was scared, she was afraid, she was in pain, couldn't feel her hands," Canada said. "It was a little hard just watching, not knowing, or not being able to touch her, but I knew that it would work out."

The mom also told WJZ a crack appeared in the steps the day before.

 

Wiley remains hospitalized after suffering a broken rib and a sprained ankle.

To learn more about the Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company and help them continue their mission, click HERE.

Follow @CBSBaltimore on Twitter and like WJZ-TV | CBS Baltimore on Facebook

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.