Suffolk County police and the Central Islip Fire Department rescued a 91-year-old man Saturday who fell in a storm drain.

Police say they received a 911 call around 1:15 p.m. for a man who fell approximately 12 feet down the drain outside of an apartment complex on Medea Way in Central Islip.

Fire officials say no one knew the man was stuck in the storm drain until a neighbor walking his dog passed by and heard him moaning for help. They say the man apparently stepped on the storm drain grate when it gave way.

Emergency responders, including Suffolk police and the Hauppauge Fire Department's Technical Rescue Team Department assisted the Central Islip Fire Department in the rescue operation.

Chief Christopher Portelli says it took about 45 minutes to pluck the man from the bottom of the storm drain.

He was transported to Southside Hospital for serious injuries, but is expected to recover.