By JADA BAS

Published: 00:22 BST, 20 May 2025 | Updated: 08:29 BST, 20 May 2025

This is the moment a Brit tourist was rescued on Brazil’s iconic Copacabana Beach after becoming trapped waist-deep in wet sand at the bottom of a hole he had dug himself.

Airport worker Jensen Sturgeon was trying to dig as deep as he could on the famed beach at Rio de Janeiro but he struck water and the hole quickly collapsed around him.

In video of his ordeal, more than 30 people – including beachgoers, vendors, and lifeguards – can be seen trying to rescue the 22-year-old.

Some were digging around him, while others handed over bits of wood and rope in an attempt to pull the man out, but nothing seemed to work.

According to witnesses, the rescue took more than three hours. During that time, Jansen became the centre of attention on the beach, and was even given a beer to stay hydrated.

He was eventually pulled out by rescuers as onlookers cheered and applauded. He later revealed he feared he ‘was going to die’.

Airport worker Jensen Sturgeon was trying to dig as deep as he could on the famed beach at Rio de Janeiro but he struck water and the hole quickly collapsed around him. Airport worker Jensen Sturgeon was trying to dig as deep as he could on the famed beach at Rio de Janeiro but he struck water and the hole quickly collapsed around him.

Airport worker Jensen Sturgeon was trying to dig as deep as he could on the famed beach at Rio de Janeiro but he struck water and the hole quickly collapsed around him.

But he seemed in positive spirits during the ordeal - which didn't stop him from guzzling a beer

But he seemed in positive spirits during the ordeal – which didn’t stop him from guzzling a beer

In video of his ordeal, more than 30 people - including beachgoers, vendors, and lifeguards - can be seen trying to rescue the 22-year-old

In video of his ordeal, more than 30 people – including beachgoers, vendors, and lifeguards – can be seen trying to rescue the 22-year-old

Some were digging around him, while others handed over bits of wood and rope in an attempt to pull the man out, but nothing seemed to work

Some were digging around him, while others handed over bits of wood and rope in an attempt to pull the man out, but nothing seemed to work

It took a team of tourists, vendors and lifeguards who spent more than three hours trying to save him, according to witnesses The airport worker thanked everyone upon being freed

It took a team of tourists, vendors and lifeguards who spent more than three hours trying to save him, according to witnesses

Jensen Sturgeon, 22, was on holiday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, when he was trapped in wet sand in an eight foot hole he dug himself—which took three hours to be rescued from

Jensen Sturgeon, 22, was on holiday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, when he was trapped in wet sand in an eight foot hole he dug himself—which took three hours to be rescued from

The shocking incident happened on the iconic Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In a video filmed on his way home, the airport worker spoke of how the incident frightened him.

He said: ‘I’m Jensen from England and I’m the guy who got stuck in that hole.

‘I was digging an eight foot hole and, basically what was going through my head [was], I thought I was going to die.

‘But luckily I had good people to save me. Obrigado to the people of Rio that helped me out.’

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Moment beer-drinking Brit tourist is rescued after sinking waist-deep into wet sand at the bottom of 8ft hole he dug on Brazil’s Copacabana beach

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