The Rescue
Naturally, the cops were called, and emergency service workers arrived on the scene very quickly. Initially, it was hoped that the rescue would pass by quite quickly without any incidents or issues, but the rescue workers from the Midland Fire and Police departments promptly realized that this job was going to be much tougher than they initially thought due to the size and shape of the well shaft. The workers had to devise a plan to rescue Jessica as quickly as possible without endangering her further. This plan involved the help of local oil workers, who were asked to drill a tunnel down parallel to the well and then dig across into the area where Jessica was lodged. Unfortunately, it all took a lot longer in practice than in theory.
(Photo by Barbara Laing / Liaison Agency)
The first tunnel, going downwards, was completed within six hours, but the second tunnel, going perpendicular into the well, was much more of a challenge. A mining engineer was on hand to observe and control the whole procedure, with a large team of paramedics, drill experts, rescue workers, and others all helping out. In total, it took 45 hours for the two tunnels to be finished, and the team was happy to hear little Jessica singing “ Winnie the Pooh ” theme tune from inside her rocky prison as they approached. A paramedic named Robert O’Donnell was the man to go through the tunnel and free the baby from the well, 56 hours after she’d fallen.