Worker rescued from 10-foot deep hole

May 27, 2009 (CHICAGO) Firefighters said the man, 44 ,who was working on a catch basin when the inner layers of heavy clay and stone collapsed upon him, was buried up to his waist in the trench behind St. Patrick's High School, 5900-block of West Belmont.

The worker was finally able to climb up the ladder on his own to a burst of applause. He was in there so long, 4 1/2 hours, that the concern was his body temperature would lower and present a real health hazard.

The man was taken to Illinois Masonic Hospital in stable condition.

• SLIDESHOW: Images of the rescue effort

It is not clear how the man became trapped.