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GASTONIA -- Emergency crews freed a man Thursday morning after he spent more than 12 hours in a manhole, authorities in Gastonia say.
Police say the man apparently became trapped Wednesday evening when he fell into the manhole after trying to cross the railroad tracks in the 200 block of East Long Street, about a block east of the Gastonia Police Department. The manhole was uncovered, although it is surrounded by a concrete barrier.
According to reports, the man tried to cross the concrete barrier and didn’t see the manhole, which is 8 feet deep.
The trapped man, whose name has not been released, spent the night in the manhole. A man walking past the scene heard the trapped man crying for help about 8 a.m. Thursday and contacted police.
Emergency rescue workers were called in, and they needed about 45 minutes to free the man. The victim didn’t appear to have serious injuries, but he was taken to Gaston Memorial Hospital for observation.
