Athens-Clarke County rescue team saves man who fell through porch into 20-foot hole

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A special rescue team from the Athens-Clarke County Fire Department helped save a man who fell through a concrete porch in Oglethorpe County on Friday evening.

The department’s Technical Rescue Team was called to help with the precarious situation. The man fell into a hole about 20 feet deep, and unstable concrete hung above him, the department said.

Crews removed the broken concrete, lifted the patient using mechanical equipment and a special stretcher, and then delivered him to emergency medical personnel through an opening in the basement wall.

The man was taken to Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center, where his condition is unknown.

Athens-Clarke County Fire Chief Nate Moss commended the responders for their teamwork.

“This incident highlights the importance of specialized training, sound decision-making, and coordination between agencies when responding to complex technical rescues,” he said.