Successful Confined Space Rescue

Members of the Chattanooga Fire Department successfully rescued a man trapped in a sewer pipe during a complicated operation. It took place on Sunday afternoon off of Gunbarrel Road (2300 block).

A homeless man was attempting to take shelter in the confined space when he realized he was stuck and couldn’t get out and called 911 around 4:30 PM. He complained of leg pain. The patient climbed into the sewer through a small 24-inchpipe, crawled approximately 75-100 feet back and then went through a smaller hole and into a junction vault. He was unable or unwilling to climb back out on his own. Attempts were made to access the vault through other manholes, but they were obstructed.

Multiple entries were made by members of the CFD’s Urban Search and Rescue teams to contact the patient who was in and out of consciousness and a rescue plan was developed. The patient was maneuvered past obstructions and pulled through the 100-foot long, 24-inch wide pipe using special rescue equipment and ropes handled by crews outside.

Two hours later, he was recovered and transported to the hospital with minor injuries. Quint 21, Squad 19, Squad 1,Quint 8, Squad 13, Ladder 7, USAR 1, USAR 2, Battalion 1, Battalion 2,Battalion 3 (Blue Shift), CFD Special Operations, CPD and HCEMS responded.

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