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Mass. crews rescue teen buried in collapsed sand hole

More than 20 responders used heavy rescue equipment to shore up the unstable hole and free the 18-year-old near Scusset Beach

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Sandwich Fire Department/Facebook

By Mike Grimala
masslive.com

SANDWICH, Mass. — Emergency responders worked to rescue a teenager who became trapped when a hole in the sand collapsed around him, burying him above his waist.

At about 3:43 p.m. Tuesday, the Sandwich and Bourne Fire Departments responded to an area near Scusset Beach in Sandwich for a report of a person trapped in the sand, according to a statement. At the scene, they found an 18-year-old man buried up to his chest who said he was sinking further.

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Initial attempts to dig him out resulted in more sand collapsing around him.

More than 20 responders from Sandwich fire and police, Bourne fire and police, Massachusetts State Police and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation worked to shore up the hole using specialized heavy rescue equipment, according to officials.

The workers freed the man in about 30 minutes, officials said. He was conscious and alert and was airlifted to Rhode Island Hospital in stable condition.

A second person on the scene declined medical transport.

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