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Man rescued after being buried in clay and sand

LFB London fire brigade during the rescue LFB
Five fire rescue units and specially trained urban search and rescue crews from London Fire Brigade were sent to the scene

A man was rescued from a large trench after it collapsed and partially buried him in sand and clay.

Firefighters and rescue teams from London Fire Brigade (LFB) were called to a construction site in Charlton, south-east London, on Tuesday.

LFB said crews finally released the man after six hours by "methodically" excavating sand and clay from the trench to allow better access.

London Ambulance Service said the air ambulance was sent to the scene and the man was taken to hospital, where it is thought he remains. His condition is not known.

LFB Rescue crews on the sceneLFB
The man was released from the trench after six hours and taken to hospital

Firefighters said rescuing the man, who was buried up to his waist, involved specially trained urban search and rescue crews.

As sand and clay from the 12m-long, 4m-deep trench were removed, teams had to shore up and stabilise the trench to prevent any further collapse.

Throughout the six-hour rescue operation, firefighters worked with the London Ambulance Service's hazardous area response team to provide medical care to the trapped man.

The Health and Safety Executive are investigating.

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