Maricopa County rescue team pulls man out of 100-foot mine shaft

PHOENIX – A man who had been stuck in a western Maricopa County mine shaft for two days was extracted by rescue teams Wednesday, authorities said.

Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office tweeted just after 7 p.m. that John Waddell, 62, was out of the 100-foot-deep shaft.

Victim has been pulled out of the mine shaft ready for transport. Great job by all MCSO staff and volunteers who assisted in the rescue. Victim will be flown out for emergency care.

— @SgtJEnriquez (@SgtJEnriquez) October 18, 2018

He said Waddell was airlifted out for emergency care. He had been in the shaft since Monday.

The mine shaft is in the area of Eagle Eye Road between Aguila and Interstate 10, about 90 miles west of Phoenix.

News of the rescue came five hours after the situation was first reported.

MCSO Search and Rescue is gearing up to extract an adult male who has fallen into a mine shaft 100 feet deep. He was found today by a good samaritan but has been there since Monday. He is alert and talking, the mine shaft is in the area of Eagle Eye Road and Mile Post 13. pic.twitter.com/8EhXH8Oj0B

— @SgtJEnriquez (@SgtJEnriquez) October 17, 2018

Waddell was alert and talking when he was first discovered by a good Samaritan.

Authorities said a medic was lowered in to treat Waddell, who had suffered broken bones in his legs and was dehyrdrated.

He was lifted out of the hole in a gurney.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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