DENVER (AP) A man is recovering after he fell 30 feet (9 meters) into a water- and ice-filled sinkhole in the central Colorado mountain town of Leadville.
The Denver Post reports firefighter Alex Conlin with Leadville/Lake County Fire Rescue rappelled into the hole Saturday to rescue the man, whose name and age have not been released.
Conlin used a ladder that was placed across the top of the hole as a support to lower himself and attach a safety line to the man so he wouldn't sink into the water. The man was taken to a nearby airport, where a helicopter flew him to a hospital. His condition has not been released.
Conlin, who also was treated due to cold temperatures, said in a statement, "Risk a lot to save a lot, risk a little to save a little, risk nothing to save nothing.
Leadville is about 75 miles (121 kilometers) southwest of Denver.
