Man Rescued After Being Trapped Under Vacuum Tanker Truck In Roslindale

ROSLINDALE (CBS) -- The Boston Fire Department rescued a man who became trapped under a vacuum tanker truck on Hyde Park Avenue Tuesday.

Boston EMS treated the man at the scene, and he was transported to an area hospital.

The department said the man was changing a tire when something shifted.

Deputy Chief Jay Fleming said a metal lip caught on the truck's tiring, likely saving the man's life.

He was trapped under a holding tank in front of the vehicle's wheel well.

According to Boston Fire, the situation was complicated by the fact that the tanker was fully loaded, with a total weight of about 80,000 lbs.

"Today is his lucky day," Fleming said.

"We were able to raise it just enough so that just by twisting the person who was trapped, we could pull him out and hand him off to EMS."

The truck is the kind used to vacuum out and clean sewer drains.

As the man was being brought to a waiting ambulance, he expressed his gratitude to police and firefighters on scene.

"He said 'Thanks guys.' That doesn't always happen to us," Fleming said.