Experienced Mortal Horror at Work: 30-Minute Burial Ordeal Survival Account

Life's Twisted Embrace:

Being buried alive, for most, sparks a chilling horror. But this very nightmare became a bizarre, heart-stopping reality for one American woman, Ashley Piccirilli, who miraculously survived the harrowing ordeal of being trapped beneath a collapsed wall. Four years on, she opens up about her harrowing experience in an interview with People.

Piccirilli, a 35-year-old Air Force veteran, found herself plunged into a terrifying nightmare just a week into her new construction job in Northampton, Massachusetts. A perilous trench's sidewall crumbled, engulfing her under thousands of pounds of dirt - approximately six feet.

As the dirt fell around her like a vicious, crushing wave, Piccirilli informed People, 'It felt like... when someone gives you that really big bear hug... uncomfortable?' Thus began her terrifying, ground-shattering struggle for survival.

Despite her military training, Piccirilli remained remarkably composed, as she felt an undeniable conviction that she would be rescued. 'I never thought I would die... because I was like - they know where I am, they're gonna come get me.'

But the minutes stretched into an agonizing eternity as the world above her grew slowly dimmer. Unaware of the devastating injuries she sustained, including a collapsed lung, shattered ribs, and internal bleeding, Piccirilli desperately clung to the hope of being saved.

It took around 30 minutes to excavate Piccirilli, leveraging an excavator and raw human effort. As her rescuers pulled her free, pain coursed through her body, and an overwhelming sense of panic surged within her.

Wounded and battered, Piccirilli's ordeal was far from over. As she arrived at the hospital, she was rushed into surgery, where her doctors grappled with the life-threatening internal bleeding. The bleeding was so severe that it was audible, a phenomenon known as 'audible hearing.' Facing seemingly insurmountable odds, her life hung dangerously in the balance.

Piccirilli underwent several surgeries, including a procedure to reconstruct her chest and abdomen, repair her sternum and diaphragm, and treat injuries to her spleen and liver. Her resilience, both physically and mentally, along with the collaborative efforts of countless medical professionals, ultimately proved to be the key to her survival.

Now, back at home and thriving, Piccirilli has returned to flight school and even resumed her career as a pilot at Barnes Air National Guard Base. Speaking of her dramatic encounter, she credits her willpower and the countless individuals who came together to save her life, stating, 'The reason I survived is because of everyone.'

In an interview with People, Ashley Piccirilli, a health-and-wellness advocate who survived being buried alive at a construction site, shared her story, emphasizing the importance of workplace safety.
Amid the general news of her harrowing experience, Piccirilli's survival story brings light to the significance of fitness-and-exercise and injury prevention in keeping workers healthy.
Following her survival, Piccirilli continues to work as a pilot, making her an inspiring figure in the realm of science, showcasing human resilience and determination in the face of adversity.