Emergency responders have rescued a man who was seriously injured when a trench collapsed, trapping him up to his waist for several hours.

Pequannock police say the collapse occurred around 8 a.m. Monday behind the Knights of Columbus Hall on Lincoln Park Road

Officials say that the 61-year-old worker was trapped when a retaining wall caved in. He was removed about four hours later after crews built a support structure to stabilize the trench and a vacuum truck was used to remove rocks and other debris.

“He was in good spirits the entire time he was trapped,” says Pequannock Police Capt. Daniel Comune.

Crews from across northern New Jersey came to the scene to help in the rescue.

“We are part of an urban area search-and-rescue team,” says Paterson Public Safety Director Jerry Speziale. “We do this all the time, confined space rescues.”

Authorities say the man suffered "serious" undisclosed injuries. He was hospitalized in stable condition, and his name has not been released.

“Think about it, all the pressure of that rubble and dirt pushing against your body stops circulation,” Speziale says.

The cause of the collapse remains under investigation.