A man is in intensive care in Yuma City, Arizona, after a saguaro cactus toppled and crushed him.
The BBC reports William Mason was responding to an emergency water leak when he was struck by the five metre plant falling from a nearby property.
Colleagues were able to free him and call emergency services.
Saguaro cacti are common in the south-west of the United States. Their weight depends on how much water they hold.
Yuma City officials say Mr Mason is in hospital with serious injuries to his back and legs.
Doctors have so far removed nearly 150 cactus spines from him, according to the Yuma Sun newspaper.
