Couple rescued from sewage tank
Photo by TANNA YEOUMANS A couple fell into this sewage tank on Saturday morning on Lookout View road, and were assisted by Boundary County Sheriff’s Office deputies before being taken to Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene.
Photo by TANNA YEOUMANS Everyone got a good hose down after the incident.
(Courtesy Photo) Every precaution was taken to ensure the health and safety of all parties involved.
BONNERS FERRY — On Aug. 4, about 11:35 a.m., Boundary County Dispatch received a 911 hangup call. Dispatch called the phone number back and there was no answer, so Boundary County Sheriff’s Deputy Bill Jarrell and Boundary County Sheriff Sergeant Robert Goad continued en route to the approximate address on Lookout View Road.
As the officers arrived at the scene, dispatch relayed that the person who initially called 911 called back and confirmed that they needed help and provided their exact location. Their location was at a place where septic trucks dump their waste, located down a long gated driveway.
According to the Sheriff’s report, upon arrival, the officers found a truck parked with the passenger door open and a male subject laying on the ground up against an underground sewage tank with the top exposed and the hatch open.
Jarrell approached the male subject, who appeared to be covered in sewage, and asked about his welfare. The male subject confirmed that he was OK but that his wife was still in the sewage tank.
According to the Sheriff’s report, Jarrell then turned to notice there was a ladder protruding from the open area at the top of the tank.
“I looked down into the tank and the smell of raw sewage was overwhelming,” said Jarrell.
He then yelled down to the female subject and after receiving no response, Goad asked dispatch to contact Boundary Search and Dive Rescue Team. Jarrell then utilized his flashlight to see into the tank and he spotted the female laying on her back in the sewage and called down to her again while illuminating and received a response.
According to the report, the female subject was responsive and able to stand and climb up the ladder and out of the tank. Upon exiting the tank, the female subject commented that her arm was injured, but seemed to be more coherent than her husband.
The search and rescue team was cancelled. Paradise Valley and South Boundary Fire Protection, and two medic units arrived on scene.
After the firefighters washed them down, both subjects were evaluated in the medic units and it was decided that the male subject needed to be taken by Life Flight to Kootenai Health Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene.
The Life Flight helicopter landed on scene and picked up the male subject, and the female subject was then taken by Boundary Ambulance.
After the area was cleaned and everyone was cleared to leave, all units departed the scene.