Heartstopping footage shows cops race to dig girl, 16, out of deep San Diego beach sand hole that collapsed around her while tide closed in
Breathtaking footage captured the moment police officers and Good Samaritans raced against time to free a 16-year-old girl trapped in a deep sand pit.
The dramatic incident took place at around 4:50 p.m. Tuesday at Mission Beach in San Diego, just an hour before high tide began.
Witnesses described the terrifying scene as the teenager discovered herself buried two to three metres deep and the sand collapsed around her, leaving only her head and arms visible.
“I was so scared for her because she was lying there so low,” said Richard Mastan, one of the bystanders who took part in the action. Fox5.
The teen’s friends began digging, but to no avail. After about 15 minutes, they called the nearest lifeguards, who sounded an emergency alert for the trench and brought in teams of officials.
The dramatic incident occurred at Mission Beach in San Diego at around 4:50 p.m. on Tuesday, just an hour before high tide began.
Witnesses described the terrifying scene as the teen found herself buried 6 to 8 feet deep as the sand collapsed around her, leaving only her head and arms exposed
“We saw that she was buried up to her neck, just her head and arms sticking out,” Lt. Jacob Magness of the San Diego Lifeguards told the outlet.
The first rescue attempt had failed, he said, so they had to dig together.
“Because I already had a shovel in my hand, they could see, ‘Leave the guy alone, let him dig,’ so I dug like crazy,” Mastan said.
After an intensive 20-minute operation, the teenager emerged from the sand pit unharmed.
Miraculously, the 16-year-old girl was uninjured. Rescuers carried her to a stretcher, where she was checked by paramedics and handed over to her parents.
After an intensive 20-minute operation, the teenager emerged from the sand pit, remarkably unharmed. Rescuers promptly helped her to a stretcher and into a waiting ambulance for evaluation.
“Because I already had a shovel in my hand, they could see, ‘Leave the guy alone, let him dig,’ so I just dug like crazy,” said Good Samaritan Richard Mastan
The locals pointed out the dangers of digging deep holes in the sand.
“I was worried about drowning, but apparently you have to worry about the sand too,” witness Michael Valasquez told Fox 5.
According to a 2007 study, three to five children die each year in the United States after a sand pit they were digging collapses on them. Many more are seriously injured.
Witnesses expressed their admiration for the quick response and teamwork during the rescue operation.
“Thank you for all the support you have given us, and we wish we could be like you more often,” said witness Noah Gastelum.