Emergency Indiana workers rescue worker trapped in grave

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — A state trooper on routine patrol in western Indiana helped rescue a cemetery worker who had become trapped in an open grave beneath a burial vault.

State police say Master Trooper Jason Owen was patrolling rural Vigo County when he was flagged down by workers at Bethesda Cemetery. The workers needed help for Brent Lawbert, who had become trapped when a small crane toppled, knocking him into the grave as workers lowered the vault into the hole. The vault then fell on top of him.

Emergency workers extricated Lambert with air lift bags and the crane. Police say Lawbert was conscious and trapped for about 50 minutes. He was taken to a hospital in Terre Haute with lower leg injuries that appeared non-life-threatening. There was no report on his condition.