Rescue workers carried out a dramatic rescue mission after two construction workers got stuck in a sewage manhole, where one died and the other is still missing.
The City’s Fire and Rescue Services, along with police, were called to a scene at Sea Otter Road in Rocklands, Mitchells Plain, on Tuesday at about 9am after workers at a site cried out for help.
According to reports, one of the workers collapsed while trying to exit the manhole. His co-worker then tried to rescue him but was overcome by gases and also passed out. Their foreman, who also went in, had to abandon his rescue attempts.
A witness on the scene said he ran towards the manhole where maintenance work was being carried out on the sewerage system after hearing a commotion in the road.
“I heard two guys screaming for help.
“You could clearly hear them shout and how their voices faded as time went by.”
The witness said another worker jumped in to try to help his colleagues.
“The worker went down and not long thereafter shouted for us to pull him up. When I pulled him, he was half conscious and was spitting up water.
“He was taken to hospital.”
When “Weekend Argus” arrived at the scene, emergency services workers were preparing an extraction plan for one of the workers.
Within 20 minutes it was confirmed that one of the workers had died.
A worker, who spoke to the paper on the basis of anonymity, said they were saddened by the death of their colleague.
“I feel sad. I can’t help but to think of his family, they (would’ve) waited for him to come home, but now they will receive a call to say he didn't make it.
“It could've been any one of us.”
Spokesperson for the City’s Fire and Rescue Service Jermaine Carelse said crews from Mitchells Plain and Goodwood were dispatched, including a technical rescue vehicle with the equipment needed for the operation.
“Metro EMS staff, including a paramedic, were also on scene. A third person, gender not confirmed, was taken to hospital prior to the arrival of the Brigade.
“A firefighter and an EMS medic entered the manhole just after 11.30am. One person was found at 12.15pm. Unfortunately, the person had passed away. Divers are trying to locate the second person.
“One firefighter was taken to hospital due to possible contamination with the sewage water,” said Carelse.
An emergency worker explained to “Weekend Argus” that the conditions at the bottom of the sewerage system stopped them from searching for the second worker.
“We are going to have to call in SAPS divers to check further because the water is four metres deep and there is a possibility his body drifted along the sewer pipes.”
SAPS spokesperson FC van Wyk said according to their reports the first worker went into the hole to retrieve a suction bag which was stuck.
“When he tried to exit the manhole he collapsed. His co-worker then attempted to rescue him, but was overcome by the gases (and) he collapsed while trying to get out.
“A third person, identified as the foreman, attempted to rescue the second man, but was forced to abandon his rescue attempt due to the fumes. He managed to (sound the) alarm,” said Van Wyk.
He added that while fire and rescue teams including the SAPS diving unit were able to retrieve the body of the second man, teams were still working to retrieve the body of the missing man.
The foreman was taken to hospital for medical treatment
Police have registered an inquest for further investigation.
Anyone who might have information about the accident is kindly requested to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111.