California, August 05: A teenager who was buried in 6 feet (1.8 meters) of sand while digging a trench on a California beach says he was certain he would die before rescuers pulled him to safety.
Matt Mina told The Associated Press on Thursday that he passed out after a few minutes, but before he lost consciousness he thought of his family and friends. He says he didn’t know if anyone knew he was buried or could hear his screams.
The 17-year-old from Virginia was visiting his aunt and uncle in Orange County and spent the day at Newport Beach with his cousin.
He was buried alive Wednesday after digging a 6-foot (1.8-meter)-deep pit and attached trench that collapsed suddenly.
It took dozens of rescuers about 30 minutes to dig him out.
–Agencies