Overview
- Andrew Giddens, 36, was located Thursday shoulder-deep and virtually camouflaged in mud near a borrow pit at Vulcan Materials’ Grandin sand plant in Putnam County, Florida.
- Rescuers from multiple agencies worked for more than two hours, using ropes, ladders, pallets and boards to extract him from unstable ground.
- Authorities said he had been stuck for several days without food or water during freezing conditions, then was airlifted to a trauma center in critical condition and is expected to recover.
- Deputies had found his abandoned vehicle on Feb. 23, and a 2023 trespass contact helped them recognize the car and concentrate the search after aviation units could not spot him.
- Vulcan employees helped direct first responders to the site, and officials urged the public to check on those in crisis and pointed to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.