A man in Nevada County was rescued from an abandoned mine shaft after falling in while searching for a lost dog. According to ABC10, the Nevada County Consolidated Fire Department responded late Friday night near Lower Colfax Road and Agony Hill Road.
Firefighters found the man on a ledge about 30 feet down the shaft with a leg injury that prevented him from climbing out. Crews deployed a rescuer to descend into the mine and secure the victim before hoisting him to safety.
Working alongside the Peardale Chicago Park and Ophir Hill fire departments, a team of 17 rescuers carried out the operation, which lasted several hours and wrapped up early Saturday, The Sacramento Bee reported. The technical rescue required crews to follow strict safety protocols throughout.
"A confined-space technical rescue of this nature requires agencies to follow strict OSHA guidelines to ensure rescuers don’t become additional victims," Nevada County fire officials said, underscoring the risks involved. According to The Sacramento Bee. Fire crews ultimately hoisted the victim out of the mine shaft and transported him to Sutter Roseville Medical Center. His condition had not been released as of Saturday afternoon.
