MIDDLETOWN, Ohio - Police say a city worker in Ohio apparently overcome by fumes fell into a manhole and died.
Authorities say 31-year-old Jabin Lakes was doing a routine inspection of a sewer line Friday morning when he lost consciousness and fell. Authorities have not determined the source or the type of fumes but say the air was oxygen-depleted. They have closed off the manhole and say there is no public risk.
An autopsy is scheduled for Monday.
Three firefighters who tried to rescue Lakes were overcome and taken to hospitals. Officials at Atrium Medical Center in Middletown say 47-year-old Fire Marshal Bob Hess was in fair condition. Another firefighter was treated and released. A message was left at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton seeking 44-year-old Capt. Todd Wissemeier's condition
My Opinion
I think this is a classic case of improper size up, rushing into a scene, and a possible lack of training or someone who wasn't paying attention during training. You've got a man that's collapsed after an unknown incident in a confined space. Why would you immediately just try to rescue him? I understand that he needs help as soon as possible, but whenever you're entering a confined space for a rescue you should at minimum be wearing your SCBA, but realistically, you should have a gas tester with you to test for hazardous atmospheric conditions. I'm glad that the firefighters weren't seriously injured in the incident, but hopefully we can ALL learn from this incident. This is another reason why they've invented these gas testers. It's not just for the people going in, it's for the rescuer's too.
Brad MacMillan
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