A Louisville man prayed for hours from a parking garage rooftop while first responders worked to rescue a construction worker completely trapped under rubble at a demolition site.
God works in wonderful ways through people who listen to His call. When trouble strikes, most of us might walk away, but there are some who choose to stay and pray. Their faith and love show us how we should care for one another.
On last Thursday morning, what seemed like a regular workday turned into a desperate rescue mission at Louisville’s former Community Correctional Center on East Chestnut Street.
Around 11:40 a.m., a construction worker at the future LOUMED Commons site fell 10-12 feet into a deep hole. Within moments, debris crashed down on top of him, leaving him completely buried. He was working with five other crew members when the accident happened.
The Louisville Fire Department rushed to the scene in just three minutes. Fire Chief Brian O’Neill found that while the worker was surrounded by gravel, dirt, and concrete, he had a small pocket of space to breathe. Since the worker didn’t speak English, the rescue team brought in a translator to communicate with him.
The rescue needed careful planning and patience. The teams had to dig through the rubble by hand, using buckets and vacuum equipment. They worked with extreme care to keep the debris from shifting and causing more harm.
A brave paramedic even climbed down into the hole to give the trapped worker water and snacks. The trapped worker showed amazing spirit by helping to dig himself out.
On the rooftop of a nearby parking garage, Ti’ant Wyatt felt God calling him to stay and pray. For five straight hours, he kept watch over the rescue site, lifting up prayers for a man he had never met.
“I’ve been out here for five hours, on this rooftop for five hours,” Wyatt said. “But he’s been in debris, trapped and collapsed for more than that.”
As he waited, Wyatt felt deeply moved by the worker’s situation. “Now I just feel really emotional with a little bit of anger,” he shared. “Why did this happen to this individual? He’s stuck down there, and I know myself, I’m claustrophobic and I would be freaking out.”
Yet his faith remained strong. “For me to be here and send as many prayers as I can and hope for his safety, this is the least that I feel like I can do,” he said. “I don’t know this person but I hope and pray that this person will be okay.” He promised to stay until the rescue was complete, saying, “And when this person comes out, I’ll leave.”
At 8:26 p.m., after almost nine hours, the rescue teams finally freed the worker. Chief O’Neill, who has worked in fire service for 24 years, said this rescue was unlike any he had seen before.
The team celebrated quietly with “a quick nod and a little fist bump around the pile,” calling it a “tempered celebration” – recognizing both the tragedy and the triumph of the moment.
The rescue came at a challenging time for Louisville’s emergency services. Just days before, they had responded to a major factory explosion.
Mayor Craig Greenberg praised their dedication: “For all first responders here in Louisville, yet another example of the heroism of all of them. And a giant thanks on behalf of the entire city of Louisville to every first responder.”
When we see someone struggling or hurt, let’s remember Ti’ant Wyatt’s example. We may not be able to dig someone out of rubble or solve their problems, but we can always stop and pray.
Whether we offer a quick prayer while passing by or spend hours in prayer like Wyatt did, God hears every prayer from a sincere heart. Sometimes we might think our prayers don’t make a difference, but time and again, we see God work in ways we never imagined possible.
We thank God for protecting and guiding the first responders during this challenging rescue. We also thank Him for moving Ti’ant Wyatt’s heart to spend hours in prayer for a stranger.
Let’s pray for the worker’s complete healing at UofL Hospital, for peace and comfort for his family, and for continued protection over our first responders who selflessly serve our community every day.
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