Photos: CA Firefighters Extricate Victim in Technical Rescue

After a 3 1/2-hour effort Sunday night, firefighters rescued a man trapped 15 feet underground in an Antioch storm drain.

The man, in his mid-30s, was freed from the 16-inch pipe around 9:30 p.m. and determined to be uninjured, according to the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. He was taken to a hospital for evaluation.

The confined space rescue began shortly after 5:30 p.m. in the 3100 block of Buchanan Road. About 50 rescuers from Contra Costa Fire, East Contra Costa Fire, Antioch police and public works, and AMR paramedics helped on the complex effort. Firefighters gained access to the individual from two locations, according to fire officials.

By about 9 p.m., four firefighters made entry into the underground space where the man was stuck. The rescuers cleared debris to gain access to the man and bring him to the surface, fire officials said.

The man was responsive and communicating with rescue personnel the entire ordeal, according to fire officials.

Matthias Gafni is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @mgafni

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