Drilling rig traps worker near I-35

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A drilling rig fell on top of a worker operating the machinery at I-35 near 51st Street on Tuesday morning, according to Texas Department of Transportation officials.

The Austin Fire Department responded to the scene at the Home Depot parking lot by the garden center.

After freeing the trapped man, responders transported him to a nearby Brakenridge with minor injuries.

Fire officials say workers were packing up after completing a job at the site. The ground was soft underneath the drilling rig due to wet weather.

The operator was moving the machine when the soft ground caused it to tip over, officials said.

"He was able to get down into a smaller space, but he was trapped by the cab," said Battalion Chief Mike Frick, with the Austin Fire Department. "The wreckage of the cab and all the control that were in the cab."

The operator was quickly freed by emergency workers. He was taken to University Medical Center Brackenridge with minor injuries.

"He's a very fortunate individual because of the amount of damage done to the cab area is pretty extensive," said Bat. Chief Frick.

Fire officials say that the investigation will likely be taken over by OSHA.