BY MATT LINDSEY
North Country This Week

MASSENA -- A Massena resident was rescued Saturday afternoon after becoming trapped inside her basement, according to Massena Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Pat O'Brien.

Firefighters responded to Maple Street shortly before 4 p.m. following a request from Massena Rescue stating someone had fallen.

Chief O'Brien said a resident at the home was checking on her sump pump in her basement and the stairs collapsed when she got back to the top of them. A second person in the home called for help.

Chief O'Brien said Massena Rescue was called first and realized they needed help from firefighters for a technical rescue before they could provide medical help as they could not get to the injured woman who was lying in the basement.

The fall into the basement was estimated to be 16-20 feet.

Firefighters used a roof ladder to get people down into the basement to provide medical assistance.

The victim was treated and packaged onto a stretcher, placed in a Stokes basket and hoisted up via a rope out of the basement.

The woman was taken to the hospital for treatment of her injuries. She reportedly suffered serious injuries but is expected to recover.

O'Brien said the injured woman was in "good spirits" but that she had possibly broken some bones as a result of the fall.

However,  the chief was happy with how smooth the rescue went.

"The equipment used for this rescue is thanks to you, the community," Massena Fire said in a Facebook post "This equipment was recently purchased through the generosity of our donors and through support from the Village and Town of Massena."

O'Brien said the stairs appeared to have detached from the wall causing them to break.