A Long Island woman fell into an eight-foot backyard void on her 47th birthday and was pulled out by responders using a ladder as neighbors listened to her screams for help.
Story Snapshot
- Neighbors heard the victim’s cries, found her, and called 911 in Bohemia, Long Island.
- Police and other responders used a ladder to guide her up through mud, water, and roots.
- Reports agree the hole was about eight feet deep; the exact cause of the collapse is still unclear.
- The incident spotlights backyard hazards like old wells, cesspools, or sinkholes that can fail without warning.
What Happened In The Bohemia Backyard
On September 17 in Bohemia, Long Island, resident Kristin Tammone said the ground gave way under her feet. She described plunging into an eight-foot hole filled with water and sod. She yelled for help as she stood in the void. Two neighbors heard her screams, located her, and called 911. Police arrived, retrieved a ladder from a nearby garage, and helped her climb out to safety. Tammone said the fall happened on her 47th birthday.
CBS News New York reported that multiple agencies responded and that crews worked through mud, water, and roots to reach her. Tammone said she believed she was trapped for about 30 minutes and praised the responders. News 12 Long Island said neighbors saw only her shoes at first and described the scene as frightening. Several local outlets agreed on the depth and location but used different labels for the hazard, from “old well” to “hole” to “cesspool”.
Injuries And Recovery After The Ladder Rescue
News 12 Long Island quoted Tammone as saying she felt fine because the material was soft, calling it “sod and water.” CBS News New York reported she is a licensed physical therapist who was recovering with whiplash and pulled muscles. Both accounts present a relief outcome after a high-risk fall. The reports do not cite a hospital record. The shared facts are that she walked away after the ladder rescue and thanked the police, firefighters, and medical responders at the scene.
The New York Post framed the void as a cesspool and used more dramatic language than other outlets. CBS and News 12 focused more on the rescue timeline, the neighbor role, and the multi-agency response. All agree that responders used a ladder to guide her up and that the void was deep and wet. The precise length of time she was stuck varies by report, but the core timeline centers on neighbors calling 911 and police leading the extraction.
Why Holes Like This Appear — And What Homeowners Should Do
Backyard holes often look the same at first but come from different causes. Some are collapsed cesspools or septic features. Others are old or abandoned wells that failed. Some are true sinkholes linked to local geology. Early news coverage commonly uses general terms until inspectors identify the cause. County and state guidance says to keep away from the edge, rope off the area, and bring in qualified experts to assess the ground before anyone attempts repairs.
Local governments and safety guides also warn that small depressions can hide bigger voids. Edges can crumble without warning. Officials advise using a probe from a safe distance to check depth and stability and calling the proper authorities. If a septic or cesspool system may be involved, people should treat the site as contaminated and avoid contact. The Bohemia incident shows how quick action by neighbors and first responders can prevent a fatal outcome when the ground fails.
Why This Matters For Everyday Safety
Millions of homes across the country sit over old infrastructure that few owners can see. That includes septic systems, drywells, and in some regions, abandoned wells. When these structures age or shift, surfaces can collapse with little warning. Simple steps make a difference: keep children and pets away from any sudden depression, call local authorities, and do not climb in. First responders have equipment and training to manage unstable ground and guide safe rescues.
Sources:
nypost.com, longisland.news12.com, cbsnews.com, greaterlongisland.com
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