A worker who descended into a city sewerage system on Tuesday became unhooked from his safety line and was pushed through a pipe 69cm (27in) wide for more than a mile before his calls for help were heard and he was rescued.
Daniel Collins, of Collins, Missouri, was in a critical condition at St Luke's hospital in Kansas City.
The South Metropolitan fire district chief, Randy Adams, said Collins was being treated for hypothermia and given antibiotics because he may have swallowed sewage.
Collins disappeared soon after 8am on Tuesday after descending into the sewerage system in Raymore. Adams said crews searched manholes along a 1.5-mile route near a golf course.
After about 90 minutes, a firefighter and paramedic, Antonio Smith, heard Collins calling out: "Guys, I'm down here. Can you help me?"
Smith was lowered into the sewerage chamber and found Collins about 3.6 metres down. Collins appeared to have some bruises but was able to speak, Smith told KMBC-TV.
"It was a miracle to find him in that condition," Smith said.
He said he put Collins over his shoulder, and crews topside helped lift him out. Firefighters covered Collins with coats while waiting for an air ambulance.
Adams said Collins "was not totally coherent. He was basically in and out, and he was very weak".
Collins was tethered when he descended into the sewer and was still wearing the harness when he was found. It was unclear how he became unhooked, which allowed him to be pushed through the pipe by rushing water.
Raymore officials said Collins's employer, Rosetta Construction of Springfield, was working on parts of the city's sewerage system.
Sourced from www.guardian.co.uk
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