SPOKANE – Emergency crews used a backhoe to release a construction worker who was trapped beneath a large concrete block Wednesday afternoon in People’s Park.
Spokane Fire Chief Bobby Williams said he didn’t know the extent of the worker’s injuries but said the man thought his leg was broken. His left side was pinned underneath the block.
The employee was transported to Deaconess Medical Center for treatment.
The construction site is a $1.5 million city of Spokane sewer project to build a combined sewer overflow basin to temporarily hold 250,000 gallons of sewage and stormwater during heavy rain, preventing it from entering the Spokane River untreated.
Williams said construction crews were working beside stacks of 3,000- to 5,000-pound concrete blocks when a top one fell, trapping the man.
The worker was lying face down but was able to turn his head to the side. He was conscious and talking during the rescue process, Williams said.
Fellow construction workers prepared for the rescue team’s arrival by getting a backhoe in place, Williams said.
Williams said without the backhoe firefighters would have had to use airbags to move the concrete blocks, which would have taken much more time.
Spokesman-Review
A 22-year-old man allegedly attempting to shoplift $18 worth of beverages and cheese sticks from a grocery store Tuesday was booked into jail for investigation of first-degree robbery after he scuffled with store security, according to Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office reports.
Kitsap County deputies were called to the Safeway at 3355 Bethel Road SE about 8:30 p.m. to find the man pinned to the ground by two Safeway security officers, the report said.
The man had taken three containers of alcoholic beverages and seven cheese sticks, the office reported.
He was also found carrying a pair of brass knuckles and a marijuana pipe, deputies reported.
A 20-year-old Port Orchard woman who accompanied the man was arrested on suspicion of third-degree theft for allegedly eating a bagel in the store without paying for it.
The man was also booked on suspicion of possessing of a dangerous weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia and two warrants. His bail was set at $72,500.
Kitsap Sun
Two Vancouver, Wash., residents are in Oregon’s Columbia County Jail after a wild chase in a stolen vehicle that began in Longview and ended with a chase on foot in St. Helens, Ore.
During the chase, the female passenger allegedly fired several times at pursuing Longview police officer Mike Berndt and other officers, according to Sgt. Jim Duscha. No one was injured.
Duscha said Berndt was on routine patrol at 3:30 a.m. Tuesday when he pulled behind a vehicle in an alley.
The driver immediately hit the gas and ran a stop sign, Duscha said, so Berndt turned on his flashing lights and siren.
During the chase, “the passenger leaned out her window and started shooting at Berndt,” Duscha said. The chase continued across the Lewis and Clark Bridge and into Oregon with four other officers in pursuit.
Duscha said St. Helens police arrested the suspects at 3:52 a.m. after a short chase.
Daniel Raymond Longan, 27, faces Oregon charges of two counts of eluding police, aggravated attempted murder, reckless endangerment, harassment, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and felon in possession of body armor. His bond was set at $60,250.
Heather Lee Vanhooser, 30, faces Oregon charges of aggravated attempted murder, reckless endangerment and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, with her bond set at $21,250. She also has a fugitive warrant.
The Daily News
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