Trapped Clearwater construction worker freed from storm drain

CLEARWATER, Fla. - A rescue team has freed a construction worker who became trapped while working on a storm drain Tuesday morning, according to the Clearwater Fire Department.

The Caladesi Construction employee was working on a city storm drain maintenance project at Barry Road and Highland Avenue when he became stuck waist deep in dirt.

Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Largo Fire Departments responded and built a box around the worker to stop more dirt from falling and burying him deeper.

A vacuum was used to remove the dirt from around him. The rescue operation was completed around 11:30 a.m.

Because the worker was below ground level, he was put on oxygen as a precaution.