By Daniella Segura
Merced Sun-Star
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, Calif. — A woman’s yells for help led to her rescue after she fell and got stranded in a manhole overnight, California rescuers say.
As a passerby was walking near the San Bernardino manhole the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 20, they heard a woman screaming for help, Christopher Prater with the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District told McClatchy News.
They called 911, Prater said.
Rescuers arrived on scene and confirmed a woman had fallen 15 to 20 feet down the manhole and was trapped, rescuers said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Using a 100-foot aerial ladder, firefighters prepared for a technical rescue, officials said.
SAN BERNARDINO (Final): Patient has been successfully rescued from the hole and transported to a local trauma center.
— San Bernardino County Fire (@SBCOUNTYFIRE) November 20, 2024
Press release to Follow. pic.twitter.com/WQBYEZl6of
After the district’s search and rescue team aided in setting up the “high point rope rescue system,” a rescuer was lowered down the manhole to the woman, officials said.
The rescuer examined the woman for injuries before placing her in a harness, officials said.
A video shared by fire officials shows a handful of rescuers pulling a yellow rope to hoist the woman from the manhole.
“Despite all the challenges faced, firefighters were able to safely rescue the patient in less than 90 minutes,” rescuers said.
The woman told rescuers she fell into the hole sometime the night before.
Prater said it’s unclear what time the woman fell or how long she was stranded in the manhole.
It’s also unclear how the woman fell down the manhole, Prater said.
The woman had multiple injuries and was taken to a hospital in moderate condition, according to officials.
Members from the San Bernardino Municipal Water Department stayed on scene to ensure the “manhole was secured,” officials said.
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