County conservation director rescued from submerged pipe

May 21, 2008 09:34 am

— CENTERVILLE – Monday, May 19, 2008 at approximately 4:22 p.m. Appanoose County Conservation Director, Mark Hoffman, called the Appanoose County Law Center and reported that he was trapped in pipe that was submerged under water and was being sucked further in to the pipe. Hoffman reported that he was near the upper Centerville Reservoir close to the Thompson Cemetery.
Appanoose County Sheriff’s Office, Centerville Police, Appanoose County Water Rescue and Mercy Ambulance were dispatched to the scene where Hoffman was found near the upper reservoir. Hoffman’s left foot and ankle were found to be trapped in an eight inch in diameter pipe that was submerged under water. Due to the size of the pipe and force of the current through the pipe, Hoffman’s leg was being further sucked through the pipe.
Hoffman was rescued by the Sheriff and a Deputy who joined Hoffman in the water and freed his leg from the pipe. Hoffman sustained minor injuries.
Hoffman indicated that he was attempting to clear a blockage to the pipe and when the blockage broke loose, the intake force immediately sucked him in to the pipe. Hoffman was wearing protective clothing that helped keep his foot and ankle from being broken and severed from the force of the water and pipe.