Austin Fire, EMS, and Public Works personnel today responded to a report of a “person trapped in a manhole” at the 8400 block of Research Blvd.
Austin-Travis County EMS described the person as trapped/lost in a drainage tunnel system, and said he had been there for two days. Search teams explored the drainage system until locating him.
A spokesperson for the Austin Fire Department told KVUE that the 29-year-old survivor was found in good health.
KVUE reported, “At a press briefing after the rescue, the AFD said the 29-year-old male was in good health and was wearing pants and no shirt. It did not appear that the man was homeless and he did not say why he entered the tunnel. Officials said the man did not seem to be overly distressed.”
The man had been discovered by a cyclist who saw a hand sticking out of the ground and alerted authorities.
Photos by Austin-Travis County EMS:
