Construction worker dies in flooded underground tunnel
A construction worker was killed last Tuesday afternoon when a sudden influx of water flooded a pipe he and other workers were drilling in
The accident occurred when a drill bit became stuck and the victim had to enter the pipe in order to dislodge it. While he was in the underground pipe, both the pipe and the tunneled-out work area surrounding it quickly became filled with water.
Initial reports stated that the flooding was caused by a sudden rainstorm, but Conroe Fire Chief Ken Kreger says this is speculation and that the flood was more likely caused by groundwater, a broken water main or a burst sewer pipe.
A total of three workers were trapped in the flood. Two, both of whom were in the trench area, were able to escape with assistance from the foreman. The body of the third man, the one in the pipe itself, was not recovered until hours later at just before 7:00 p.m. His remains were discovered about 50 feet into the 140-foot long pipe.
The victim and the other men were working for Boring & Tunneling Company of
The accident is currently under investigation by OSHA.
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