Overview

• The rescue occurred Aug. 16 just after 4:30 p.m. at the Northeast Elementary School playground in Vernon, Connecticut.
• Firefighters found the man wedged both feet‑first and head‑first in the middle of a tube slide and in extreme discomfort from the heat.
• Emergency personnel provided oxygen and set up ventilation to cool the confined space before removal.
• Crews used extrication tools and ropes anchored to an aerial ladder to stabilize and cut a section of the slide, freeing him in about 30 minutes.
• He was evaluated at the scene and declined transport, and the damaged slide was left out of service as officials shared photos of what they called a unique call.