Buried construction worker freed in Eden Prairie
by The Associated Press

EDEN PRAIRIE  -- Rescuers have freed a construction worker trapped in waist-high dirt in Eden Prairie.

Authorities say 34-year-old Chris Coppin of Maple Plain was working in a dirt trench at a new home construction site on Thursday when the walls caved in on him. The dirt packed around his legs, trapping him as if he were in concrete.

The Minnesota Structural Collapse Team was able to free Coppin about four hours later, by pulling him out of the hole with special equipment.

Coppin was conscious and breathing during the entire rescue effort. But rescuing him was tricky, since the walls could have caved in even further at any time.

Coppin is in serious condition at Hennepin County Medical Center.