A utility worker died in northeast Baltimore after he fell into a hole and became trapped Saturday afternoon, Baltimore City Fire Department officials said.
The unidentified man in his late 20s was employed with a small, private utility company that was repairing a sewer line in the front yard of a home in the 1600 block of E. Cold Spring Lane, said Chief Kevin Cartwright, spokesman with the department.
The man was attempting to climb out of the hole using a ladder when he fell back and became trapped in dirt up to his waist, Cartwright said.
Fire crews were called to the scene at about 12:40 p.m., but Cartwright said they were unable to immediately remove him without additional equipment. The man went into cardiac arrest.
About three hours later, crews were able to remove the man. He was pronounced dead at the scene, Cartwright said.