Australian Man Rescued After 36 Hours Trapped in Brisbane Drain
A dramatic rescue operation took place in Brisbane as firefighters successfully removed a bolted drain lid to lift a man who had been trapped in the city’s underground drain network for 36 hours. The man had reportedly gotten stuck while trying to retrieve his phone, which had fallen inside the drain.
The incident unfolded in the Kangaroo Point area along the Brisbane River, with emergency services responding to calls from concerned residents who heard screams coming from below ground. A worker from a nearby building had offered help to the trapped man over the weekend, but he declined. It wasn’t until the following day that the resident saw him again and decided to call for assistance.
According to reports, the man had been crawling through the drain, at times partially submerged in stormwater, and drinking drain water to survive. After 36 hours of struggle, he finally found an opening and called out for help, leading to his rescue by firefighters.
The Queensland Ambulance Service treated the man for abrasions and exposure to the cold, noting that he was lucky to have survived such a harrowing ordeal. Queensland police later revealed that the man had fled to the drain after crashing his car into one of their vehicles on Sunday.
Acting police commissioner Steve Gollschewski expressed astonishment at the situation, emphasizing the unexpected turns that events can take. The man, now in stable condition, is cooperating with authorities as they investigate the circumstances surrounding his ordeal.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by drains, with the Gold Coast Council website warning residents to steer clear of such areas due to the various hazards they present. From the risk of being trapped in pipes to encountering poisonous substances or wildlife, the potential dangers are numerous. The website advises anyone who witnesses a person or animal in distress in a stormwater drain to immediately contact emergency services.
As the rescued man recovers from his ordeal, his story serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of safety around drainage systems and the unpredictable nature of emergencies.