Construction worker rescued after retaining wall collapse

Staff Photo: Brendan Sullivan Gwinnett County firefighters walk back to their vehicles after responding to the scene where a construction worker was trapped in a ditch and was believed to be pinned face down against the basement wall of the house by a large piece of concrete and dirt in Buford Tuesday. The man has been transported to the hospital and his injuries are unknown at this time.

Gwinnett County Police Department's Public Information Officer briefs the media about the rescue of a construction worker who was trapped in a ditch and was believed to be pinned face down against the basement wall of the house by a large piece of concrete and dirt in Buford Tuesday.

BUFORD -- Emergency personnel rescued a construction worker Tuesday afternoon after a retaining wall collapsed and trapped him in a hole outside a Buford home.

Gwinnett County fire department spokesman Capt. Tommy Rutledge said technical rescue personnel were called to the private residence on the 3100 block of Camp Branch Road just after noon Tuesday.

"The man (was) in a ditch and believed to be pinned face down against the foundation wall of the house by a large piece of heavy concrete and dirt," Rutledge said. "He (was) conscious and able to speak with rescuers."

Technical rescue technicians were using airbags to lift the concrete and other equipment to stabilize the surrounding area, Rutledge said. At about 1:20 p.m., the construction worker who was doing foundation work in a ditch along the back of the home was extricated.

"The trapped worker is now freed and is being transported to the hospital for evaluation and treatment of injuries," Rutledge said. "He was conscious and able to communicate with firefighters."

Officials said the extent and severity of the victim's injuries were unknown Tuesday afternoon. The construction worker has not been identified.

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Construction worker rescued after retaining wall collapse