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Firefighters Rescue Plumber Stuck For 13 Hours In Oakland Trench

OAKLAND (KPIX 5) – Crews rescued a plumber early Wednesday morning, after he was stuck in a muddy and collapsed trench in East Oakland for more than 13 hours.

According to authorities, the plumber -- identified as Rogelio Esparza -- was working on a 10-foot sewer line near 21st Avenue and East 24th Street when the trench surrounding him collapsed about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.

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Rescuers had to shore up the trench before pulling him to safety. As they were working to free him, rescuers gave the plumber pain medication and talked to him.

Esparza was pulled to safety around 2 a.m. and was not hurt. He was taken to Highland Hospital and was in good condition.

At the hospital Wednesday afternoon, Esparza spoke with a pool reporter about his ordeal. He said he was working as normal when the trench collapsed onto him.

"Everything was fine … (the ground) collapsed," he said. "It was an accident that happened in a second. There was nothing that could be done."

Esparza also offered his gratitude to his rescuers for getting him out.

"Thank you.  I can't, I don't have words to repay what they did for me because they would never be adequate," he said. "And thank God that I am well and they got me out. That's all. Thanks to them and to God."

"I want to say thank you to all the neighborhood to be waiting for this. We are very happy with him," said Juan Coronado, foreman of Star Rooter and Plumbing.

Esparza was working for the plumbing company as an independent contractor. The hole and the sidewalk has been boarded up as the investigation into exactly how the accident happened continues.

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