LEADVILLE, Colo. — Firefighters rescued a man who had fallen into a 30-foot sinkhole Thursday while trying to access his storage unit in Colorado.
Leadville/Lake County Fire Rescue said a crew was on scene within minutes after the man, who has not been identified, fell into an icy pit around 6:02 p.m., KDVR reported.
Rescuers placed a 24-foot ladder across the opening. Firefighter Alex Conlin rappelled into the sinkhole with safety equipment for the victim. The gear was attached to a safety line that was secured to the fire truck.
“The bottom of this pit had substantial ice and water creating a very cold situation as well as unstable edges and sides of the pit,” the agency said on social media.
The victim was injured, so additional rescue crews were needed to remove him. After about 90 minutes, the victim was extricated, KCNC reported. Both Conlin and the victim were treated for hypothermia. The victim was also airlifted to a hospital.
Conlin said he did not think twice about jumping in to save the man’s life.
“Risk a lot to save a lot, risk a little to save a little, risk nothing to save nothing,” he said in a statement.