Man stuck in drain, rescued after 36 hours from 'knee deep' stormwaters in Australia's Brisbane

An Australian manin his 30swas freed from an underground drainage on Monday (Mar 25) after being trapped inside for 36 hours. The incident took place on Sunday, as per the man, on Castlebar Street in Brisbane.

He was released with the help of the firefighting unit of the area of Kangaroo Point stormwater drain at about 11:00 local time on March 25.

He entered the drain on Saturday “while trying to retrieve his phone”, as per rescue authorities.

As per local media, he tried to find an exit when being stuck, but couldn’t wade himself out of the drain water.

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It is also being reported that the man had been offered rescue on the weekend but turned it down before the same person returned again on Monday and called for help.

James Lingwood, the passerby who helped the man by calling the authorities, told the Courier Mail newspaper that he first encountered the man on Sunday after hearing a voice “sort of yelling”.

Eventually, the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services rescued the man which took only five minutes as they simply lifted the drain lid, allowing the man to climb out.

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Lingwood said he looked into the drain and saw the man standing there, knee-deep in water, and offered to help, but he declined his offer.

"He seemed to be okay, and he said he could get out where he got in so I just left him alone," he told the Courier Mail.

The acting police commissioner, Steve Gollschewski, said police had launched an investigation into the incident.

The veteran cop said people’s behaviour amazes him as no one knows “what people will do sometimes and what happens” later.

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“But I like to work out what’s actually happening. So let’s get to the facts. I don’t know what they are yet. Let the investigation run its course and we will work out where it goes from there," he said further.

Earlier, the local council warned people to stay away from storm water drains, pipes and manholes, describing them as “grates and pits” which could easily "trap someone".

The man, after being rescued, was taken to the Mater Hospital, for the treatment of abrasions and hypothermia.

(With inputs from agencies)