Village Idiot breaks leg falling into open / uncovered sewer in Orland Park

A village idiot broke his leg falling into an open sewer in Orland Park Saturday evening, prompting local firefighters to rescue him and shut down parts of Harlem Avenue, officials said.

The man was walking back to his car at 151st Street and Harlem Avenue around 5:49 p.m. when he "dropped straight in" an open sewer, said Orland Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Bill Bonnar.

"You don't have somebody fall into the sewer like that every day," Bonnar said.

The man fell about 20 feet, Bonnar said. He was able to call 911 for help from underground, Bonnar said. It's unclear why the sewer was uncovered.

"I’m not sure he would've made it if he hadn't been able to make that phone call," Bonnar said.

Technical rescue firefighters helped remove the man from the hole. Bonnar said he was talking afterward but in "obvious pain" as he was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. It took firefighters about 15 minutes to find him and then about an hour and 10 minutes to pull him out, Bonnar said.


Harlem Avenue was closed from 143rd to 151st streets during the rescue operation, Bonnar said.