Indiana Responders Free Worker Trapped in Trench

A man remains in serious condition but is expected to recover after a trench collapsed on him in Cedar Lake, Ind. Thursday morning, authorities said.

Firefighters spent about 20 minutes freeing the man, who had been buried up to his chest while working construction, said Cedar Lake Fire Chief Todd Wilkening.

"He's very lucky to be alive," Wilkening said. "Somebody's looking out for him."

The man, who reportedly slipped in and out of consciousness during the rescue, was transported to Franciscan St. Anthony Health Medical Center in Crown Point.

The man apparently had been working with a crew building a new supermarket when the trench collapsed.

The 7-foot hole had not been secured by a trench box, which is legally required as a safety precaution, Wilkening said.

The fire chief said officials from the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration were investigating.

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