Investigation launched after man killed by sewer fumes

The Health and Safety Authority has launched a full inquiry into how one worker died and another was left critically ill after apparently being overcome by fumes at a housing estate in Dublin.

The men, employees of a company called DrainTech, were carrying out maintenance work on the sewer system in Drumnigh Wood, Portmarnock. As they were working a number of metres underground, one of the workers got into difficulty in the sewer and collapsed into the pit.

His colleague went to help him, but also got into difficulty.

According to Gerry Stanley, third officer with Dublin fire brigade, emergency services responded very quickly with three appliances, three ambulances and an advance paramedic unit.

They rescued the men from the pit and treated them at the scene, before moving them to Beaumont Hospital.

However, it is understood one of the men passed away a short time later, while the other was in a critical condition last night.

As well as the two workers, three of the Dublin fire brigade members required hospital treatment.

However, in a tweet, the brigade said the members had been hospitalised “as a precaution” and, shortly after 8pm, it was confirmed all those officers had been released.

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Authority said its investigation began as soon as the scene was declared safe by emergency services.

On its website, DrainTech describes itself as a specialist company, whose technicians have more than 20 years in the business.

“Our experts are adept at resolving any drainage problem in a speedy and professional manner, providing all necessary advice and certification for works undertaken,” it says.