A man was rescued from a well after being trapped in cold water about 35 feet below ground for nearly four hours.

Authorities say 57-year-old Walter Wilkins of Canon is recovering at a hospital in Greenville, S.C. after the ordeal near the northeast Georgia town of Homer. His condition wasn't immediately known.

The Athens Banner-Herald reports that Wilkins became trapped between noon and 1 p.m. Saturday while doing cleaning work inside the well.

Jackson Emergency Services Director Steve Nichols said Wilkins apparently came off a rope being used to lower him into the well and sank in the sediment at the bottom, trapping himself.

Nichols said a rescuer was lowered into the well with Wilkins because he became disoriented after being in the cold water for so long.