A Clarence Creek man is in hospital with severe injuries after being trapped in a trench on his property.

The Clarence-Rockland Fire Department was called to 1310 Pilon Road around 1:50 pm. When they arrived they found a 57-year-old man at the bottom of a deep, narrow trench that he had been digging to access a blocked water pipe near the house. The trench had partially collapsed, trapping the man up to his waste, about 8 to 10 feet below the surface.

The entire 3 kilometre length of the road was closed off to traffic for fear that any vibrations from passing vehicles might cause a further collapse.

Because of the unusual and delicate nature of the situation, the rescuers called neighbouring Ottawa Fire Services for help. The Ottawa department has the special equipment and training needed to perform a trench rescue. “We’re not qualified to go underground and do that kind of rescue,” explains Martin Saumure, Division Chief with Clarence-Rockland Fire Services. “You need some sheets of plywood to shore the sides of the trench and then some (hydraulic) rams to hold it to hold it together so the ground around it doesn’t come back in the trench.” And it all has to be put in place while disturbing the area as little as possible.

Paramedics from Prescott-Russell and Ottawa were also on hand. Ottawa paramedics say they were contacted to pick up and deliver blood products to the scene.

Within a couple of hours, rescuers managed to free the man. He was airlifted by helicopter to the Ottawa Civic Hospital with severe injuries to his lower body.