Manhole Rescue Reveals Out Of Control Problem

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by Kirk Hawkins
Bio | Email | Follow: @kirkhawkins by Photojournalist Billy Carrier

Story Created: Feb 21, 2013 at 10:17 PM EDT

Story Updated: Feb 21, 2013 at 11:14 PM EDT

GASTONIA, N.C.--From a hole in the ground to a hospital bed. "I just thank God. By his grace, I'm still alive," said Gastonia Resident Ronald Ervin. Ervin was rescued in Gastonia Thursday morning after spending the night ten feet below ground in a manhole. "I started hollering for people to help me to get out...but ain't nobody around," he said.

Ervin says he jumped over a concrete barrier on East Long Avenue. Instead of landing on the ground, he fell into the uncovered hole. Gastonia Public Works Officials say it's one of at least 50 manholes uncovered by metal thieves just this year. "It's not easy to move at all. It generally will take
somebody with equipment and with a vehicle close by. But unfortunately they still do it," said Gastonia Public Works and Utilities Director Matt Bernhardt.

Bernhard said the frustrating trend is becoming an increasing problem as the cost of scrap metal is going up. Thieves, they say, sell the cast iron to scrap metal dealers for 10 to 15 dollars per manhole. "If you take that lid off of it, they're gone...right through...and it's a long way down,"
said Ervin.

As Ervin prepares to slowly recover from a broken leg, he is thankful for the man who saved him
and vows to be more careful. "All I can say is that...that was just something that happened.
Stuff don't happen like that," he said.

That manhole has been filled with concrete. Gastonia Public Works officials say all new manhole
covers are heavier. They include a locking mechanism, and the city's logo. So, thieves will have a harder time selling them.

 

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