A New Jersey cemetery worker was rescued after falling 6 feet into an open grave, according to local officials.

The 47-year-old man was working at a grave site at the Holy Cross Cemetery in South Brunswick around 1 p.m. on Tuesday when a piece of wood gave way and he plunged into the opening, ABC 7 reported.

More than two dozen responders from several local agencies arrived to assist SBPD with the extraction, including the Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad, who deployed a special trench rescue team.

Princeton First Aid’s squad Chief  Matthew Stiff said that “it took time” to stabilize the ground around the grave and ensure all the equipment was in the right position before lifting the worker out of the hole.

“Rescue technicians deployed trench panels and ground pads to stabilize the area in and around the pit. We then had to use a rope system to get the man out of the grave and turn him over to EMS,” he said in a statement. 

The man was removed from the grave around 2:10 p.m., police said. 

He suffered a dislocated shoulder, News 12 reported. He was taken to Robert Johnson Medical Hospital University Hospital in New Brunswick in stable condition, according to police.

South Brunswick Police Chief and OEM Coordinator Raymond Hayducka thanked those who responded.

“It is always a team effort that makes the difference,” he said.

The Diocese of Metuchen, which owns the cemetery, told News12, said the “unfortunate incident” was “due to an equipment malfunction.” They offered their “heartfelt prayers” for the worker in his recovery.