Man rescued from trench after it filled with water and mud in Johns Island neighborhood

JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCBD) – A construction worker was rescued from a trench after becoming stuck in mud about waist-deep Wednesday afternoon.

The incident happened in the Kiawah River neighborhood on Johns Island.

Crews with St. John’s Fire District (STJFD) responded to a location off Sounding Lane around 1:00 p.m. and discovered that a person was working in the trench when it filled with water and mud.

The worker became stuck up to his waist and could not self-extricate.

Additional resources were brought in from surrounding agencies like the Charleston Fire Department, North Charleston Fire Department, and Mount Pleasant Fire Department.

From there, officials said technical rescue teams began the process of placing shoring around the man. He was also placed in a harness to prevent any additional sinking.

Two vacuum trucks were brought in to remove the water and mud, which allowed responders to free the man.

Charleston County EMS monitored the man during the rescue operation. He was taken to a local hospital in stable condition.