Local Man Gives New Meaning to "Twelve Hours in Labor"

The scene was like that of a movie. One of those wholesome, Jesus movies that comes with rave reviews like, "Good for the Whole Family" and "Truly Restores Your Faith in the Unseen."

Imagine waking up early to get a head start on your day before the sun beats down on you mercilessly. Imagine working in the dirt in your heavy operating equipment when everything around you suddenly turns red. Once the dust settles, and several rubs of the eyes later, you realize your eyes aren't closed, it's just dark. Then you realize it's dark not because it's night time, but because you are underground. Buried. Underneath the same chert you've only just ended laboriously toiling.

In this situation, does your heart skip some beats and allow panic to set in? Do you become more calm so as to retain the remaining oxygen supply? Do you try to dig your way out? Or do you simply sit. Quietly. Contemplating a risk/reward assessment? For you personally, how would you react/respond in this situation? Blessed for most of us, we will never have to find out. But for one 53 year old man, it was a challenge he was chosen to take on.

Imagine sweating in your machine all morning and saying to yourself, "I'll just clean up this one last pile before breaking for lunch." And that one pile produces an unexpected avalanche of red clay chert that begins trickling down from above you. Suddenly, you feel like Aladdin right before he's swept up by the magic carpet. Except, there's no magic carpet ride in your future, and the chert is filling every crevice around you in your newly-literal hourglass of time.

At nearly 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19, members of Hohenwald/Lewis County Fire and Rescue were dispatched to the 400 block of Keg Springs Road, Hampshire, where a man was reportedly trapped in a landslide. Upon arrival, they were met by family members informing them of the situation. According to Fire Chief Steve Vineyard, about 3,700 cubic yards of chert bank and material collapsed onto the victim who was operating a backhoe, completely burying him for an estimated 12 hours.

At the time, family members were digging with shovels to assist in freeing the man. HFD took over by hand and with heavy equipment. They were miraculously able to make contact with the victim through a 3-inch hole in the chert. Via a 2.5 inch wide plastic pipe located at the scene, HFD was able to administer oxygen for three hours until the victim was freed.

"This was a team effort by all organizations," said Chief Vineyard. "The positive outcome was due to the coordination, teamwork and communication of all involved. A special thank you to the members of our department for your commitment to our community and professionalism shown on every call," Vineyard concluded.

City Mayor Danny McKnight added, "I cannot express my gratitude and sincere appreciation enough to our local First Responders for the passion that you all have for our community and the citizens of our City and County. Thank you all for not only what you do, but what you are willing to do for us. You are all our Superheroes."

But, Hohenwald/Lewis County was only a part of this effort. Mutual Aid was requested from Maury Fire and Rescue due to the location of the call, as well as more manpower. City of Hohenwald Utilities provided an excavator to aid in the rescue. A backhoe and skid steer were provided by Maury County Highway Department and area neighbors. Lewis County Sheriff's Department provided scene control. Spring Hill FD Trench Rescue team was requested due to nature of the call. Maury Regional EMS provided two advanced Life Support Ambulances along with the shift supervisor. Vanderbilt Life Flight was called to the scene to transport the victim to Vanderbilt Trauma Center, and Maury County EMA also assisted. Community isn't just a place you live...