Crews pull man out after being trapped in trench in northwest Harris County

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - Emergency crews pulled a man out hours later after being trapped in a trench in northwest Harris County.

According to the Spring Fire Department, the man was trapped inside of a trench near Champions Forest Drive and Gleannloch Forest Drive.

The man was working on a water pipe near a golf course in the 18900 block of Champions Forest Drive.

He was using a backhoe to dig a 14-foot trench.

For some unknown reason, he ended up in the trench and the he first collapsed around him.

He spent six hours in chest-deep dirt as firefighters with at least three different agencies tried to get him out. They describe the rescue as very complex.

First, they had to use pieces of steel to prevent the dirt from caving in on him.

Firefighters say he was almost in a cone and was trapped by one of his ankles.

After the six-hour painstaking task was done, the man was hoisted out of the trench. Firefighters say he was alert and even joking when they finally got him out.

He was taken to Herman Hospital in stable condition. OSHA will be investigating the incident.