For local lawmakers, an opportunity to recognize area first responders presented itself at the home of the Pennsylvania Urban Search and Rescue team in Carnegie. But for one local man, it was a reunion, an opportunity to thank the men and women who came to his aid 47 days after rescuing him in Charleroi.

Vincenzo Lopez was digging a trench when it collapsed , leaving him buried up to his waist about 15 feet deep. Lopez was present for a press conference on Tuesday to honor the participants from 40 different agencies in multiple counties who helped with the rescue mission.

"Without all of you, all of your collective efforts, I would not be here," Lopez said during the session, describing the 5-hour effort it took to remove him from that sinkhole.

"I had a lot of support down there, a

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