The family of a workman buried alive in a trench today paid tribute to the marathon efforts of his rescuers.

It took 12 hours to free Jed Christie, 18, of Quakers Lane, Rawdon, after he was covered by tons of earth at the bottom of a 25ft-deep trench in Yeadon.

Firefighters, paramedics and other rescuers, including the South Yorkshire Mine Rescue Team and workers from building firm Ellmore Construction, worked through the night to reach him - removing the soil by hand and small trowels as the trench threatened to collapse again.

Mr Christie's life was saved by a large clay boulder which prevented the soil from burying him alive but it was not until 5am today that he was finally pulled to safety.

He was taken to the Leeds General Infirmary for treatment to a broken leg, shock and hypothermia.

In a statement released at the hospital today, the Christie family said: "We would like to thank the many people involved in the rescue operation, particularly the emergency services and the staff of C J Ellmore builders, the next-door neighbours to the site.

"We are so thankful Jed is alive and stable. His faith in Christ helped him through the ordeal."

The managing director of Ellmore, John Gregory, told today how he was working on the site next door when one of Mr Christie's workmates ran over to get help.

"He came rushing round to see what we could do with timbers. When we went over, the trench was half full and there was nothing to see. The man was calling to the lad in the trench and I could hear he was responding but at that stage he sounded bright and cheerful and I couldn't understand how he could be in the circumstances."

The massive rescue operation involved six paramedics from Leeds and Menston ambulance stations and more than 40 firefighters from Idle, Pudsey, Cleckheaton, Shipley, Rawdon, Hunslet and Cookridge fire stations.

West Yorkshire Ambulance Service spokesman David Pitts said: "Some of the paramedics were down at the bottom of the trench treating and comforting the man. As the incident stretched into the night our major concern was the risk of hypothermia.

"But the paramedics were able to pass him blankets and give him a constant supply of oxygen and fluids. He was extremely lucky to survive.''

Mr Christie later underwent an operation at the Infirmary.

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