The hard work of a team of Toronto firefighters paid off with the extrication of a man from a trench that had collapsed.
Monday's incident occurred at 130 Charlton Blvd. in the Bathurst Street and Finch Avenue area.
Emergency responders got the call shortly before suppertime.
They arrived to find the man buried in mud up to his thighs in the trench located along a back wall. The 32-year-old had been digging the trench along with another man.
"He was down approximately six feet with a large chunk of clay that was pinning his legs to the building," Chief Bill Cameron told reporters.
More than 40 firefighters ultimately responded to the call. They were worried the trench could have collapsed further, possibly endangering the man's life.
Paramedics did take the man to hospital, but for treatment of minor injuries. He is expected to be okay, although the mud and clay put serious pressure on his legs. He came close to passing out as a result.
The collapse came one day after a day of heavy rains on Sunday. Fire officials believe the precipitation helped weaken the soil.
"This soil is very, very wet -- it's just full of water. And even while the men were working there, bits and pieces of clay were falling into the pit," Cameron said.
However, Cameron also thought the work should have been done using mechanical excavation equipment.
Ministry of Labour officials have been called into examine the scene.
