Worker Rescued After Trench Falls In

Firefighters worked for more than two hours Friday morning, using hydraulic jacks and a giant vacuum to rescue a construction worker from a collapsed sewer trench.

Barry A. Sanders, 28, of Portland was working at the bottom of the trench, estimated to be 7 feet to 9 feet deep, when the east side of the opening caved in, pinning him in heavy, wet soil up his neck.

Firefighters used metal plates and hydraulic jacks to shore up the sides of the trench, and began digging Sanders out. The City of Beaverton sent a Vactor truck, used to vacuum out storm sewers, to help remove the dirt.

Paramedics gave Sanders oxygen and intravenous fluids and used chemical hot packs to keep him warm.

Sanders was pulled from the trench just before 11 a.m. and was flown by helicopter to Oregon Health Sciences University. He was in fair condition Friday night, a spokeswoman said.