Man Hurt After Falling into Holding Tank

A man was injured Saturday afternoon after falling into a holding tank at a light industrial site on Blaine Street in Lansdale.

According to county radio reports, the incident began at about 3:40pm on Saturday afternoon. Lansdale police, responding to a call that a man had fallen from the top of a tank, was the first to arrive at the scene and discover that the man had fallen inside the tank.

Fire and EMS crews arrived minutes later. Crews cut a hole in the outside of the base of the tank to reach the man, identified by a source as Jason Rodenbaugh, who was then placed aboard a waiting ambulance.

The ambulance remained at the scene for more than 15 minutes after Rodenbaugh was placed inside. It then left the scene without its sirens or emergency lights activated. County radio reports indicated that Rodenbaugh was transported via a Medevac helicopter to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Neither the Lansdale Police department nor any other emergency personnel at the scene would provide any information on Rodenbaugh's condition, but a source Saturday night told Patch that Rodenbaugh had suffered an unspecified head injury and was "responsive."

John Ernst, Director of Code Enforcement for Lansdale Borough, arrived at the scene at about the time the ambulance departed and was seen to inspect the tank for some time.

We'll update this article with any additional information we receive as we obtain it.

Initial report and live updates are below.

Update 4:27pm: The ambulance carrying the male subject has left the scene. It was driving slowly, without its emergency lights activated. It's believed that the man is being flown to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia via Medevac helicopter.

Lansdale Police at the scene declined to provide any information on the man's condition. Fire personnel remain at the scene, examining the tank from where the man was removed.

Update 4:11pm: A male subject was placed in an ambulance, but the ambulance has remained at the scene.

Update 4:02pm: County radio reports indicate that the rescue has been completed. No word yet on the victim's condition.

Update 3:58pm: Medevac helicopter has landed and is standing by.

Update 3:57pm: Rescuers may be attempting to cut into the tank from the outside.

Update 3:50pm: Two responders have managed to get inside the tank. No reports yet on the condition of the man inside.

Initial report below.

Fire and EMS crews in Lansdale are responding to an industrial property at 101 E. Blaine St. for the rescue of a male subject who has reportedly fallen inside a holding tank on the property.

County radio reports from initial police responders to the scene indicated that the male had fallen "at least 25 feet" from the top of the tank.

Fire crews are currently attempting to obtain a view from the top of the tank to view its interior. A Medevac helicopter is reportedly en route to the area.

We have a reporter en route to the scene and will have more information as it becomes available.