Man trapped in trench,may lose limbs

The Daily Inter Lake

A 22-year-old man who spent hours outside in a trench with his foot caught in an abandoned septic tank was in serious but stable condition Wednesday evening at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Investigators don't how long the man was trapped, but when paramedics freed him at about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday he was unresponsive.

According to authorities, the owner of the White Birch Motel on Shady Lane in Evergreen decided a few weeks ago to remove an old sewer system.

He dug a trench that in some places was up to 6 feet deep and portions of which may have been obscured by a layer of snow.

The man fell into the trench and broke through the old septic tank, trapping his foot.

He was outside in freezing temperatures long enough that doctors may be required to amputate an arm and a leg, investigators said.

The case will be forwarded to the Flathead County Attorney's Office for possible charges if investigators believe negligence contributed to the accident.