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Sandra Yi ReportingThe family of the woman who fell 17 feet down a manhole yesterday is speaking about what happened.
Irene Berrett is surrounded by her family at LDS hospital. She was moved to the intensive care unit and doctors are concerned about infection, but her family knows she'll pull through.
Britt Berrett, Son: "What a horrible accident. I would hate for it to happen to anyone. I can't believe it happened to my mother."
Britt Berrett is just grateful his mother dropped her keys on the ground before she fell.
Britt Berrett: "I can't imagine what would have happened if he had closed up the manhole. How would you know? A woman would have disappeared."
Berrett is still at a loss for words.
Britt Berrett: "Who would have thought that someone would fall 20 feet into an open manhole? It's unbelievable, we're just absolutely shocked."
His mother, Irene Berrett, fell 17 feet down a manhole containing several inches of water and grease. She has a broken leg, cracked ribs and a fractured spine. Her condition worsened overnight. She's now in the shock trauma intensive care unit.
Britt Berrett: "They're very concerned about the infection. She fell into a sewage pit, and it was rising up to her ears while she was in there."
Yesterday, Berrett was alert and talking. She now has a breathing tube, so she hasn't been able to tell her family exactly what happened.
Britt Berrett: "We can hold her hand, look in her eyes, and she can blink for us."
During the rescue Berrett was comforted by her church bishop, who was nearby and talking to her. Her husband, though, didn't know what was happening. He was getting radiation treatment for prostate cancer.
Britt Berrett: "It is tough on the family."
But Berrett knows his mother will make it through this. He says that's just her character.
Britt Berrett: "She's a pretty spry 71-year old, and she's got a great sense of humor. She's full of vim and vigor, and just prayers, is all that we ask."
Irene Berrett's family can't understand why there were no barriers around the manhole, but they're not pointing fingers. Obviously, their main concern right now is their mother's health.
