Man Trapped After 40-Foot Fall Down Trench In East Hollywood

EAST HOLLYWOOD, CA —Firefighters rescued a man, who fell down a 40-foot trench in East Hollywood Thursday morning.

The call for help came in roughy at 8:37 a.m. at 1411 N. Hobart Boulevard. The man was trapped in a hole about three feet wide, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. By 9:30 a.m., crews were talking with him and had him secured with a two line rope system, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart.

Firefighters used a tripod device to hoist the man to the surface, and paramedics evaluated the man and transferred him to a local hospital. The extent of his injuries is unknown, but they did not appear to be life-threatening, said Stewart.

During the rescue effort crews were able to talk with the man.

The "patient is alert and talking with firefighters, but the extent of possible injuries is unknown at this time," fire department officials said during the rescue. "Firefighters are monitoring the air quality in the hole (approx 40' down) and have established a ventilation system to ensure fresh air reaches the patient."

An Urban Search and Rescue Task Force was setting up and assessing the situation to determine the best approach to safely retrieve the patient, according to the fire department.

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