Teen buried alive at Charlestown beach

CHARLESTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) - A 17-year-old Connecticut boy is safe, after he was buried in sand for two hours at East Beach Tuesday night.

The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) says the teen was digging a 6-8 foot hole, when the sand collapsed on top of him.

The teen was at the beach with his parents and brother when the accident happened. Eyewitnesses said the parents furiously dug to get the boy out. Several beachgoers joined the effort, and the the boy's father managed to uncover his son's face. However, the digging caused more sand to cave in.

At that point, someone called 911, and close to 100 rescue personnel rushed to the scene. Help came from several communities, including just over the border in Connecticut.

Rescue crews used special trenching panels to stabilize the sand, while they dug the boy out. It took rescuers two hours to finally free him.

Officials said the teen was alert and conscious when he was removed from the sand. A Lifestar helicopter flew the boy to Rhode Island Hospital. Eyewitness News has learned he was treated and released late Tuesday night.

The boy's name has not been released.