[underthedome]

Another example of why not to go into a manhole unless you are trained and equipped for the confined space operation.

Three Queens workers trapped in manhole die -- Newsday.com

[VSINDY]

Originally Posted by underthedome

Another example of why not to go into a manhole unless you are trained and equipped for the confined space operation.

Three Queens workers trapped in manhole die -- Newsday.com

Sad, something very similar happened in Elmont ( I think Henderson Park, not sure) about 30 years ago...As I remember, methane gas, and a manhole cover in the hole a town worker went to retrieve, when he didn't come up, another went down to assist...you can write the script from there...

Some of the old timers from Elmont may remember this a little better...

[X7010X]

Good memory! The incident actually happened in the Elmont Rd. Park on a warm summer day in 1979. A worker was lowered into a drainage manhole (remember the park was built on top of an old dump). The original worker was over come by methane gas, a second worker went into the hole and was also over come. Finally a third worker entered the hole and the results were the same. Truck #1, Truck #2, and Rescue were toned out. Firefighters (I believe John Loser and Richie Hogan) with SBCA were lowered by rope into the hole and retrieved the bodies. I remember this call because I dispatched the alarm.

[SPIN_THE_WHEEL]

April 23rd 1979 around 2pm to be exact.

[VSINDY]

Originally Posted by X7010X

Good memory! The incident actually happened in the Elmont Rd. Park on a warm summer day in 1979. A worker was lowered into a drainage manhole (remember the park was built on top of an old dump). The original worker was over come by methane gas, a second worker went into the hole and was also over come. Finally a third worker entered the hole and the results were the same. Truck #1, Truck #2, and Rescue were toned out. Firefighters (I believe John Loser and Richie Hogan) with SBCA were lowered by rope into the hole and retrieved the bodies. I remember this call because I dispatched the alarm.

Hey, thanks x7010, you refreshed my memory on the Elmont Road Park, I remember we (slightly to the south) had a lot of discussion on this one..(and I guess, since it was so long ago, when you dispatched, you started out with "KED747...")

I also think I remember a 5th Precinct patrol officer almost became a victim as well...was that the same incident?

Even though the recent Queens incident was not methane, I think Underthedome presented a really good teaching opportunity for the younger folks when he (or she?) started this thread. Every one is used to being on guard in a fire or accident situation, but this was just a simple lazy afternoon, and no one saw the threat...kind of a lesson in "always expect the unexpected"

And I think methane played a role in a 4th battalion tragedy around the same time, although Mrs Smiley probably dispatched that one. doncha know...

Do you remember that incident?

[Navy076996]

There was a similar incident in Roslyn back in the late-70s, on Willis Ave I think. Workers working on a cesspool, and it collapses. Another worker goes in after him and is overcome. And another. Finally the last guy decides to call the FD. My dad was on the first due and went into the cesspool and pulled the 3rd guy out. He lived---other two didn't make it.

[pyroforyou]

I remember Chief Jacoby (spelling?) from Oceanside, who was a chief at the fire accademy yeas ago. He told of a similar incident where a worker went down and another, I think relative went down and then a police officer became the 3rd aided. The FD could only save the last one down.

[rollover]

Originally Posted by X7010X

Good memory! The incident actually happened in the Elmont Rd. Park on a warm summer day in 1979. A worker was lowered into a drainage manhole (remember the park was built on top of an old dump). The original worker was over come by methane gas, a second worker went into the hole and was also over come. Finally a third worker entered the hole and the results were the same. Truck #1, Truck #2, and Rescue were toned out. Firefighters (I believe John Loser and Richie Hogan) with SBCA were lowered by rope into the hole and retrieved the bodies. I remember this call because I dispatched the alarm.

I should remember this tragic incident, but I don't remember it t all. Confined space rescue is truly a job for a well trained outfit. Trench rescues present different challenges from manholes, which present different challenges from tanks. There was a good article in WNYF a year or so ago about workers overcome in a large fuel tank that they were cleaning, I believe Rescue 3 and a Squad operated.