A construction worker was recovering Wednesday after he was trapped in a Woodbridge trench for more than three hours.

Officials said a private contractor was digging the trench to connect a home on Snyder Street to the township's sewer line. Leobardo Tellez-Velasquez, 34, of Plainfield, was digging the hole when it collapsed and trapped him.

"I think he was very lucky because a couple more inches on that dirt, and he wouldn't be able to breathe," Mayor John McCormack said.

A host of first responders worked to free Tellez-Velasquez, who never lost consciousness during the ordeal. When he was finally rescued, Tellez-Velasquez was taken to Robert Wood Hospital in New Brunswick by helicopter.

Safety investigators on the scene tried to piece together what happened. Officials said the trench was not properly supported, which also prolonged the rescue effort.

Click here for footage of the worker?s rescue.