Fire Department: Child falls through manhole, yells for 1 hour before found

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A 9-year-old western New York girl who broke her ankle after falling through an open manhole into the sewer 12 feet below yelled for help for an hour before a passer-by heard her.

Capt. Daniel O'Leary of the Buffalo Fire Department told WKBW-TV that the girl was trapped in 1 foot of rushing water after falling through the open hole while walking to school in Buffalo around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday.

He said crews lowered a ladder, and she was able to climb out.

It's unknown why the hole was not covered. A spokesman for the city said crews weren't doing sewer work in the area.

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