A terrifying incident occurred in Moundridge, Kansas, when a 14-month-old boy, Bentley, fell into a PVC pipe and became trapped underground. The entire family was outside their home when the accident happened. Bentley’s father, Blake, was working on his car while his mom walked around the yard with him. Suddenly, she saw Bentley fall into the PVC pipe, which runs more than 10 feet into the ground.
Left Image(Family), Right (Moundridge Police Department)
The parents immediately called 911 just before 2 p.m.
“It’s horrifying. It’s haunting to feel so helpless knowing that your child is in serious need of help,” said Blake.
First responders from the Moundridge Police Department, Fire Department, and EMS quickly arrived. They found Bentley upright at the bottom of the 12-inch diameter pipe.
“Looking down at him as he was screaming, he wanted out of there, he wanted help, and you can’t do anything. It’s just completely helplessness,” Blake recounted.
The rescuers quickly set to work. The police department highlighted Officer Ronnie Wagner for his innovative solution. Wagner, a veteran, had only been with the department for a month. Previously he wason the Harvey County Emergency Response Team, where he served a dual role as a Sniper and SWAT operator. He called Jeremy Samland with EMS, who lived nearby and had a narrow PVC pipe in his garage. Together, they crafted a 16-foot PVC rod and funneled fire department rope through it. Wagner tied a lasso at the end.
“Basically, I threaded some rope through some PVC pipe, tied a knot at the end of it so that it would slip,” Wagner explained
Rescuers lowered the rod and rope over Bentley and lifted him to safety in approximately 20 minutes, unharmed.
Moundridge Police Department BodyCam footage
“We used it to wrap around the child, basically right under his shoulders and lift him out of the hole,” said Wagner. “If none of our efforts worked at that time, we would’ve had to start digging, bring in some equipment and start digging a really big hole in the front yard and dig him out, which would’ve been time-consuming,” Wagner added.
Police emphasized Wagner’s quick thinking and creative solution as instrumental in rescuing Bentley safely.
The family is unsure what the pipe is for, but they are immensely grateful for the quick-thinking team of first responders that saved their son.
“It’s a blessing and a miracle to have a first responder that lives right behind us. There aren’t words to express our gratitude toward the city,” said Blake.
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