Perth man rescued after becoming trapped in hole

Perth Man Rescued After Becoming Trapped in Hole

A Perth man has been rescued after becoming trapped in a three-metre deep hole for over three hours at a property in Hillarys, with firefighters coming to his aid.

Emergency services responded to a call at the property around 3pm on Tuesday, where crews found the man trapped approximately 3 metres deep in a hole in his backyard, buried up to his waist.

Reports indicated the man, in his 40s, had been excavating the hole for several days in an attempt to locate the main sewer pipe. Loose sand within the excavation is believed to have contributed to the collapse that left him unable to move before he became trapped.

Following his rescue, the man was transported to hospital for treatment. The incident serves as a timely reminder for anyone undertaking excavation work across Australia to follow proper safety controls, including shoring, sloping, or benching to prevent collapse.

Why Excavation Collapses Happen

Unsupported trenches and holes, particularly those dug in sandy or loose soil, carry a high risk of sudden collapse. Even a seemingly stable hole can give way without warning, trapping workers or property owners beneath tonnes of soil.

Safety professionals recommend the following precautions before excavating:

• Assess soil type and stability before digging begins
• Install shoring or trench boxes for excavations deeper than 1.5 metres
• Keep spoil piles well back from the excavation edge
• Have a rescue plan and communication method in place before entering any hole

For further guidance on managing excavation risks, refer to Safe Work Australia's guidance on excavation work.

Related Incidents Reported in the News

This latest rescue follows a string of similar incidents reported in the news across the country involving workers becoming trapped in confined or unstable spaces. Related coverage includes news of a man rescued after being trapped under a grain silo in Queensland, as well as news of a man who died after becoming trapped under a tractor in New Zealand.

Other recent news stories have covered a man flown to hospital after becoming trapped beneath a truck in south-east Queensland. Each of these news reports highlights the ongoing dangers workers and property owners face when proper controls aren't followed.

Protecting Workers During Excavation and Confined Space Work

Businesses and individuals undertaking excavation or ground works should have documented safety procedures in place before work begins. SafetyDocs offers several resources to support compliant, safer excavation practices, including a Post Hole Digger Safe Work Method Statement for machinery-assisted digging.

For sites affected by ground instability following heavy rain, our Make Safe (Sink Hole) SWMS outlines the steps needed to secure a site before further work proceeds. Businesses managing post-storm clean-up tasks may also find our FREE Cleaning after Flood & Storm SWMS useful for broader site safety planning.

Staying informed through credible news sources and following documented safety procedures remains the best defence against preventable incidents like this one. As this latest news story shows, even routine digging work at home can quickly turn dangerous without the right precautions in place.

Originally published on the ABC News website.