Leak in main drain located in vermiculite outside pool wall

[Cgheet]

I've verified a leak in the main drain line of my inground pool. Dug down to the line only to discover that there's still about 6" of line outside the pool wall covered in vermiculite that I can't access. I can see water flowing out here when my line is not plugged. What's the best way (very right space-concrete saw not an option)to remove the vermiculite so that I can find the leak in the line?

[PoolDoc]

If it is just vermiculite, I'd just use a big screwdriver or something to chisel it out.

But something about your description doesn't make sense: vermiculite + cement used under liner pools is pretty soft and weak. The fact that you are talking about a concrete saw makes me wonder what you really have.