LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A worker trapped in rubble at a Louisville construction site Thursday is breathing and communicating, but as of 5:30 p.m. he still hadn't been rescued, according to Louisville Fire.
Louisville Fire crews arrived to the scene at 316 East Chestnut Street about 11:45 a.m. to rescue a construction worker who was trapped after falling several feet underground. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said the incident happened at the former Community Correctional Facility, which is being demolished.
According to Fire Chief Bryan O'Neill, at about 11:40 a.m., six workers were at the site when one worker fell 10-12 feet into a "void space."
Louisville Fire crews responded immediately, arriving on scene at 11:45 a.m. The chief called this type of rescue a "trench rescue."
There is rubble and debris on top of him however, officials say he is breathing and talking to first responders. The man trapped underground in Spanish-speaking only, and a Spanish-speaking captain at the scene has been communicating with the worker.
In an update Thursday evening, the chief said there is no set timeframe on when they will get him out of the rubble, but there is "strong progress" made in their rescue efforts.
Chief O'Neill said once they clear enough debris around his chest and arms, they will provide oxygen and medical attention.
He said crews are moving very slowly and carefully to ensure no additional debris falls down onto the person.
"We don't know the extent of the injuries, but we can communicate a little bit," O'Neill said. "It's a precarious situation."
The mayor said the rescue could "take a while." The fire chief said it may take up to three hours to get to the trapped person.
He said it's not a guarantee they will get the person out alive.
"He is breathing and talking to us," he said. "We're doing everything we can."
It's been a taxing week for the department, which responded to a fatal factory explosion on Tuesday.
"This is what they're hired to do and trained to do," O'Neill said. "They're ready 24/7."
Greenberg thanked everyone involved.
"This has been a challenging week for the fire department and all first responders," Greenberg said. "A giant thanks on behalf of the city of Louisville to the fire department and first responders."
City officials announced earlier this year that the old Community Correctional Facility, which closed in 2020, would be demolished this fall to make way for a future park and greenspace in the heart of LOUMED.
This is a breaking news story. We will update here with more information as we learn more.
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