Sewer Tunnel Rescue

Recent News

Employee Recognition Banquet

All 32 participants in the rescue were recognized for their efforts at the annual Pierce County Employee Incentive and Recognition banquet on October 25, 2011. Each rescuer received a certificate of recognition signed by the County Executive and Chair of the County Council.

Governor's Life Saving Award

18 utility workers received the Governor's Lifesaving Award on September 28, 2011 for their key roles in the sewer pipe rescue.

The Day It Happened - March 21, 2011

Treatment Plant Workers Rescue Man From Sewer Pipe

Thanks to well-trained, fast-acting employees, a man was rescued alive after being swept into the sanitary sewer pipe.

On March 21, 2011, a construction contract worker for Pierce County's Chambers Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant accidently fell into the sewer tunnel and traveled more than a half mile through the pipe before being rescued by plant workers.

Read the whole story

Watch the original video

Pierce County press release

TNT Newspaper article

TODAY Show

Pulling the man to safety - Click to enlarge

PCTV video

KING 5 News

More about the sewer construction project

More Images

Rescue Scene Photos

Confined Space Entry Training

The Treatment Plant Rescuers

click to enlarge

Front row, L to R: Tom Cornwall, Bob Atkinson, Mark Newport, Allan Blosser, Mark Emery, Larry Butner

Second row: George Molinaro, Roberta Strickland, Kelley Jones, Steve Daskam Jr., Scott Roth, Clint Summerall, Chad Vertz, Mandel Hardy, Jason Robinson, John Crest, Chuck Morrell, Richard Lonzak

Third row: Terry Soden, Morgan Gordon, Thomas Purcella, Larry Ekstrom, Bob Buckley, Kurt Cushman, Paul Hargrove, Tyler Robertson, Bob Brooks

Not pictured: John Dusek, Brad Volland, Erick Sund, Nick Palermo, Mike Fedak

Contact

Terry Soden
Maintenance and Operations Manager

Chambers Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant
Pierce County Public Works and Utilities
University Place, WA

253-798-3047