KCSD Press Release- A North Manchester man was seriously injured today when he was involved in a ditch “cave-in” in southern Kosciusko County.
The Silver Lake firemen and medics from Life-Med E.M.S. responded today at 2:38 p.m. near the location of 1323 East, State Road 14, Silver Lake, in regards to a potential ditch that collapsed in a field. Arriving emergency personnel located the victim, identified as Dennis Ayres, 66, North Manchester, buried in dirt up to his neckline area.
Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department deputies were advised that Dennis, and his brother Perry Ayres, had been installing field tile when the dirt walls began to collapse. Family members arrived and began digging to relieve the pressure on Ayres, who was subsequently rescued from the hole. He was immediately airlifted by helicopter from the scene and transported to Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, in serious condition with shoulder and torso injuries.
The Warsaw/Wayne Township Fire Territory Tactical Recovery Unit was initially dispatched to the scene, but disregarded prior to their arrival.
