Twentynine Palms firefighters rescued a man who fell into a sinkhole Friday morning. County Fire Battalion Chief Scott Tuttle said firefighters were called to the 7100 block of Sand Dale Road in Wonder Valley about 8 a.m. The victim, identified only as being in his 50s, had his cell phone on him and was able to call 911 for help. Firefighters believe the hole, which was about eight feet deep, may have been the site of an abandoned septic tank that had rotted away, and that the dirt gave way when the man walked over it. When firefighters arrived, they laid a ladder across the top of the hole, and then put another ladder into the hole. The man was able to climb out on his own. Employees from the county building and safety department and Office of Emergency Services were called to the scene to investigate, as firefighters were concerned there may be more similar sinkholes on the property. The victim was taken to Hi-Desert Medical Center for observation by Morongo Basin Ambulance.
