Man rescued after falling into 12-foot trench

By Jinae West

Published Wednesday, June 17, 2009 | 4:38 p.m.

Updated Wednesday, June 17, 2009 | 6:22 p.m.

A man was rescued this afternoon after falling into a 12-foot trench at a construction site near the intersection of Lake Mead Parkway and Boulder Highway in Henderson.

The man was removed from the trench at 5:21 p.m. and was conscious and talking with rescuers, said Henderson Fire Chief Douglas Stevens. Although Stevens said the man had no obvious injuries, he was to be transported by helicopter to University Medical Center for further evaluation.

"Just because of the nature of the fall and how deep it was, he could potentially have injuries that are not obvious," Stevens said.

Dispatchers received a 911 call at 3:55 p.m. and fire engines arrived at the scene six minutes later, Stevens said. The call was made by construction workers who saw the man -- who wasn't a worker and was simply a passerby -- fall into the trench.

Stevens said he is unsure how the man ended up in the trench. He said orange barriers were surrounding it, and the man took one down with him when he fell.

Stevens said the man was in his 40s.

Both Henderson and Clark County rescue teams were on the scene to secure the victim and remove him from the trench.

"We train together (with county rescuers) quite frequently," Stevens said. "On a day like today, it pays off."