A Skowhegan fire truck leaves Eaton Mountain Ski Area on Wednesday after responding to an emergency call for a man who was trapped underneath a trailer as he was working on it. The man suffered minor injuries. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel

SKOWHEGAN — A man was fortunate to escape with only minor injuries Wednesday when a trailer he was working on at Eaton Mountain Ski Area collapsed on top of him, according to police Chief David Bucknam.

Christopher Canning, 56, of West Gardiner, was working on the supports beneath the “makeshift trailer” when it began to roll and came down on top of him, Bucknam said. Canning was trapped between floor joists with a steel beam across his legs, he said.

Skowhegan firefighters used extrication tools and lift bags to raise the trailer and take some of the pressure off Canning. They then dug a small trench toward Canning that allowed him to wriggle free and be pulled to safety.

Canning was transported to Redington-Fairview General Hospital for evaluation. He is a “very lucky man,” Bucknam said.

Bucknam expressed his appreciation for Skowhegan emergency personnel, who he said worked quickly to extricate Canning.

It wasn’t clear if the trailer is owned by the ski area, another entity or by a person living nearby. It also wasn’t known if Canning owned the trailer or was hired to work on it.

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