SYDNEY: A man in his 30s was stuck in a storm drain in Brisbane for 36 hours after attempting to retrieve a dropped mobile phone, Australian emergency workers revealed on March 26.
Reports indicated that the man entered the city’s underground network over the weekend and initially declined help from a passerby on Sunday.
He resorted to drinking drain water as he searched for an exit before emergency services were alerted when a resident heard heavy breathing from the drain around 11am on Monday.
The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services informed AFP that firefighters managed to lift the drain lid and rescue the man, who was found suffering from abrasions and cold exposure before being taken to Mater Hospital.
Fortunately, emergency services confirmed that he was in a stable condition despite his ordeal.
Brisbane had been experiencing days of wet weather, with rain pouring down the drain while the man was trapped inside.
A passerby named James Lingwood shared that he had encountered the man on Sunday, hearing cries for help while out for a run.
Despite Lingwood’s offers of assistance being declined initially, he continued to monitor the situation. Lingwood mentioned to the Courier Mail, “I wanted to help him when I first saw him, but he didn’t want my help. I don’t think he thought he was in any great danger at the time.”
Lingwood also expressed surprise at the unusual situation, remarking, “You don’t often see somebody down the drain, especially when there’s rats and snakes and mosquitoes and all sorts of things going on.”
It remained uncertain if the man managed to retrieve his phone after being rescued. – AFP
