Moundridge rescue crews collaborate to save toddler trapped in PVC pipe | Home | kake.com

Multimedia Journalist

Moundridge rescue crews collaborate to save toddler trapped in PVC pipe

MOUNDRIDGE, Kan. (KAKE) - Security Camera footage shows the dramatic moments a family in Moundridge learned that their 14-month-old had fallen into a PVC pipe and became trapped.

"Kids are always a concern," says Moundridge EMS Director Brian Falco. "Especially small kids, he doesn't communicate. He doesn't follow instructions. It's not like an adult what we can say hey, lift your hands up."

This all happened just before 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon, when police say the boy, who was playing outside, fell into the sump pump drain.

First responders acted fast once they arrived at the scene to come up with a way to get the boy out of the 12-inch-wide, 10-12 foot deep hole.

One officer was able to make a makeshift catch pole out of smaller PVC pipe and a rope, and use it to safely remove the boy.

First responders acted fast once they arrived at the scene to come up with a way to get the boy out of the 12-inch-wide, 10-12 foot deep hole.

"Officer Ronnie Wagner and myself, we kind of came up with this idea and Officer Wagner fashioned what was basically a catch pole. We ran some climbing rope down through a 10 foot, 12 foot piece of smaller PVC pipe. Also, Wagner did a great job tying good knots. And then I kind of fished it around the patient and we slowly lifted him out making sure that he was safe."

Falco said that he's proud of the collaborative effort by Moundridge EMS, fire, and police to make sure the child could safely get out of the pipe.

"The collaboration between the services was absolutely amazing and we just would happen to come upon this idea and it worked out."

Falco said that the boy was obviously very shaken up and scared, but he wasn't hurt and he's doing fine.

Police body camera video shows you the terrifying moments a Moundridge family faced Sunday afternoon as officers worked to rescue their 14 month old boy after he stepped on the cover of a sump pump hole and fell nine feet down in the ground.

Multimedia Journalist

Currently in Wichita