Chennai: A private contract employee died of asphyxiation after he inhaled poisonous gases while opening an underground manhole in Madhavaram on Tuesday. Another employee who was also with him at the time of the accident has been admitted to the hospital for treatment.
According to a report on The New Indian Express, the deceased was identified as Nelson (26) from Tirunelveli, an employee of a private contract company. The hospitalized person was identified as Ravikumar who also works at the same firm. The duo had also been staying together in Mathanampattu village in Puzhal.
On Tuesday, Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) reportedly received a complaint that there was a sewage overflow from the underground drainage opposite to Amma Unavagam on Mariamman Koil Street in Madhavaram.
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A senior police officer said, based on the complaint the duo reached the spot at 4 pm and opened the lid of the manhole. However, a noxious gas emanated from the manhole and Nelson and Ravikumar who inhaled gas soon became unconscious. They then fell into the drain.
The public on seeing this informed the police and fire service. The personnel rescued Nelson and Ravikumar and rushed them to Stanley Government Hospital. However, the doctors declared Nelson as brought dead. Ravikumar was provided first aid and was taken to ICU. He is reportedly still unconscious.
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After the death of the worker, Madhavaram police registered a case under sections of Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act. They then detained Prakash and Vinish.