Athens firefighters rescue man from hole
The following has been released by ACCFD
On the evening of October 23, 2026, the Athens-Clarke County Fire Department (ACCFD) Technical Rescue Team was special-called to Oglethorpe County to assist Oglethorpe County Fire with a complex technical rescue involving an individual who had fallen through a concrete porch into a hole approximately 20 feet deep.
The incident presented significant challenges for responding crews due to unstable concrete above the patient, creating additional hazards and requiring careful planning to ensure the safety of both the patient and rescue personnel.
Rescue 4, Engine 24, Engine 26, and Hazmat 1 responded to assist with the operation. Upon arrival, the Technical Rescue Team assessed the scene and developed a rescue plan focused on safely extricating the patient while minimizing the risks associated with the unstable structure.
Crews carefully removed unstable sections of concrete surrounding the patient and utilized a ladder to establish an artificial high point for the rope rescue system. Given the patient’s condition and the confined nature of the rescue environment, the patient was secured in a Stokes basket.
The team then established a mechanical raising system to carefully lift the patient from the hole. Crews subsequently lowered the patient through an opening created in the basement wall, where the patient was safely transferred to awaiting emergency medical personnel.
Oglethorpe County EMS transported the patient to Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center for further treatment.
“This incident highlights the importance of specialized training, sound decision-making, and coordination between agencies when responding to complex technical rescues,” said Athens-Clarke County Fire Chief Nate Moss. “I commend our Crews and all responding personnel for their professionalism, teamwork, and commitment to patient and responder safety. We are grateful for the opportunity to support our partners in Oglethorpe County during this challenging incident.”
