Man Falls Into 15-Foot-Deep Hole, Rescued In Critical Condition

AURORA, IL — A man is in critical condition after he was rescued from a deep hole in the parking lot of a strip mall, fire officials said.

According to the Aurora Fire Department, the man is a security guard at the property and fell into the 15-foot-hole while walking around the grounds just before 12:15 a.m. Wednesday.

Officials said the rescue operation took 20 different agencies and over two hours to get him out.

The strip mall is located near Indian Trail and Orchard roads. Police said the hole had been dug for "utility work," but did not immediately respond to questions on if the area was properly marked.

Trevor Dick, the assistant director for the mayor's office of economic development in Aurora, told Patch the hole is located near Factor75, a food preparation and delivery facility owned by HelloFresh that opened in January.

He said the hole dug outside the property is for utility work, specifically as part of the extension of a grease trap. Dick couldn't confirm if there was signage posted around the hole.

Although the man who fell into it was conscious during the rescue and talking with firefighters, officials said he was airlifted to Good Samaritan Hospital in critical condition around 2 a.m.

This is a developing story. Check back with Patch for updates.