Beach hole gulps Olympic swimmer, spurring rescue

[May 10, 2011]  POMPANO BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- It took 60 rescuers two hours to free a member of the Austrian Olympic swim team who was buried in sand up to his neck on Florida's Pompano Beach.

Authorities say the 19-year-old had spent much of Sunday digging a hole that was 7 feet deep and 6 feet across. Around 7 p.m., the man, whose name was not released, jumped into the hole as a joke and sand collapsed around him.

Pompano Beach Fire-Rescue spokeswoman Sandra King says the man was in danger of being crushed by the pressure from the sand. He was freed about 9 p.m. and taken to a hospital. His condition was unknown.

King said the Austrian Olympic team has been training in South Florida since April. Sunday was an off day for team members.

[Associated Press]

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