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Person falls into over 20-foot-deep well hidden inside a house, firefighters perform ‘unbelievable’ rescue

Guilford Fire Department firefighter named Venuti went down the well to rescue the victim.

Published on: Jul 1, 2020, 13:38:58 IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | By
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When the new tenant moved into a house built in 1843, they never could have imagined the dangerous situation they were about to face. When the tenants moved in the house, one of their friends fell through the floor “into the abyss of a 20-30ft well.” Thankfully, the able officers of Guilford Fire Department went through an “amazing and unbelievable” rescue to get the person out of the well to safety.

The image shows the well where the person fell. (Facebook/Guilford Police Department)
The image shows the well where the person fell. (Facebook/Guilford Police Department)

Shared on Guilford Police Department’s Facebook page, this is a story of a scary fall and a heroic rescue. The department wrote that when the house was built in 1843, the well was most likely situated outside. However, a renovation was added in 1981, and it’s probably at that time the “well was covered with simple wood flooring and no subfloor or well cap.”

“While the new tenant was moving into the home today, a friend fell through the floor into the abyss of a 20-30ft well, splashing into extremely cold water that was well over the victim’s head. Initially, the fire department received a 911 call for a fall victim but this was no ordinary fall and luckily Guilford Fire is no ordinary agency!” they added.

The department then described how a firefighter named Venuti got down into the well to retrieve the victim who was down at the bottom for nearly 25 minutes. “Miraculously, the victim only suffered minor injuries but was transferred to the hospital to be checked out,” they added.

They also added a note of caution regarding the old historical homes. “It is important to note that some of these older, historical homes may have hazards that were not upgraded by current code,” they wrote.

Guilford Police Department concluded the post with lines of praise for the fire department and also shared images of the well.

“This situation could have ended with a fatality but due to the extreme professionalism and capabilities of Guilford Fire Department, everyone went home safely tonight. Well done GFD [Guilford Fire Department]! Couldn’t be more proud of the work you do day in and day out for Guilford and surrounding towns,” they added and concluded the post.

Read the entire post here:

Since being shared a few days ago, the post has received over 31,000 shares. Additionally, it gathered more than 22,000 reactions and close to 6,300 comments. While some applauded and thanked the fire department, others commented how scary the incident would have been for the victim.

“Outstanding rescue. Glad to hear everyone involved is safe!” wrote a Facebook user. “How scary for the friend and the homeowners. What a rescue! Glad to hear all will be ok. It’s like real life Outer Banks!” expressed another. “Well this closes the Internet for the night, thank god there is a basement below my bed as this would be a nightmare. Good job to all involved,” wrote a third. “This is a crazy story. It’s a miracle the friend is ok. That’s a long and scary way down. Surprised this passed inspection,” commented a fourth.

What do you think of this amazing rescue?

  • Trisha Sengupta
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Trisha Sengupta

    Trisha Sengupta works as Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of experience in the digital newsroom. Known for her ability to decode the internet’s most talked-about moments, she specialises in high-engagement storytelling that bridges the gap between viral trends and traditional journalism. Throughout her tenure, Trisha has focused on the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. She frequently covers personal finance and real estate struggles in hubs like Gurgaon, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, while also documenting the unique challenges of the NRI experience. Her work often highlights the movements and philosophies of global newsmakers and personalities like Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, Nikhil Kamath, Dubai crown prince, and MrBeast. From reporting on Amazon or Meta layoffs and startup culture to the emergence of AI-driven platforms like Grok and xAI, she provides a grounded and empathetic perspective on the stories shaping our world. When not decoding the internet, Trisha is likely offline: lost in a book, exploring a historical ruin, or navigating the world as a solo traveler. She balances her fast-paced career with family time and a healthy dose of curiosity, currently trading her "human" sources for silicon ones as she masters AI to future-proof her storytelling.Read More

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