NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV/Gray News) – A backhoe operator was rescued after being trapped for 12 hours during a Tennessee landslide in Lewis County Tuesday night.
Maury County Fire Department officials said they sent help to Lewis County for a landslide incident in the Hampshire community. Upon arrival, crews found the face of a flint pit collapsed onto a backhoe, completely burying it.
The backhoe operator, who was trapped for 12 hours, was able to speak to first responders. He said only his head and one arm were above the dirt. Only a small part of the roof of the backhoe was visible.
The fire department said crews placed a hose to the area to provide fresh air to the operator.
Heavy equipment was brought to the scene to rescue the operator, including a skid steer and a civilian backhoe.
Crews began digging with shovels and formed a “bucket brigade” to remove dirt from the immediate area of the trapped backhoe.
During the rescue, the operator received oxygen and specialized care for the time he was trapped.
After the dirt was removed from the sides of the backhoe, the roof was cut with a rotary saw while chained up and lifted off the backhoe.
More dirt was removed by hand from around the man and successfully removed from the backhoe.
The man was taken by helicopter to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for treatment.
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