ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Monday, March 31, 1997                 TAG: 9703310106
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-4  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: KING GEORGE

10-YEAR-OLD BOY RESCUED FROM WELL

The cover on the 35-foot well apparently had rotted, authorities said. And rescuers had to pump air into the pit to help the boy breathe.

A 10-year-old boy was rescued after falling into a 35-foot well and landing partially submerged, King George County officials said.

Jason Staples, who lives in Stafford County, was playing with several children in the yard of a relative's house Saturday when he fell about 6 p.m. into a well whose cover apparently had rotted, the Sheriff's Office said.

The plunge left Jason partially submerged in water and trapped in the narrow hole. The oxygen level in the well was low, so rescuers pumped air to help the boy breathe while a rescue was organized, the spokesman said.

A rescuer was lowered into the well in a harness and picked up the boy. Both were then raised to safety.

Jason was taken to Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg. A hospital official said he was released after treatment Saturday night but would not discuss his injuries.

-ASSOCIATED PRESS

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