Three men have died after being overcome by toxic gas while working in a manhole.
The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office reported that the men were performing repairs in a manhole in the Westwood Shores area on Wednesday, Aug. 27, when they were exposed to dangerous fumes, according to ABC affiliate KTRK and NBC affiliate KVEO.
Deputy Chief Jeremy Carroll explained that one of the workers entered the manhole to stop sewage from backing up into their work area. When that worker experienced a medical emergency due to the gas, a second man went in to help but also lost consciousness. The third worker then entered the hole and similarly became unconscious.
Fire Chief Jason Oliphant of Montgomery County ESD told CW affiliate KIAH that emergency crews arrived around 5 p.m. local time and found all three men unconscious. Crews used self-contained breathing apparatus while recovering them. All three were later pronounced dead.
The victims have been identified as Brad Hutton, 47, of Willis, a Hydroclear Services worker, and two H2O Innovation employees, John Nelson Sr., 52, of Cleveland, and Bradley Wrightsman, 46, of Katy, according to KTRK and KVEO.
Carroll noted that the Hydroclear worker “had a gas reader on him” that detected “high levels” of the toxic gas, KTRK reported. Despite attempting to climb out of the tunnel, he did not survive.
“I think these are all heroes, trying to save each other,” Carroll added, according to KTRK.
The toxic gas has been identified as hydrogen sulfide, which is commonly found in manholes, according to KVEO. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that hydrogen sulfide “results from bacterial breakdown of organic matter” and that “very high levels” can cause sudden unconsciousness or death.
In 2021, H2O Innovation faced two serious violations and one repeat violation from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), KTRK reported. Two violations were related to failing to provide workers with a “safe means of egress” from a 4-foot trench in Spring and inadequate protection from cave-ins at a Houston site.
In a statement to KTRK, H2O Innovation said: “The health and safety of our employees is the most important thing to us. Over the last five years, we have increased our commitment in this area, placing a large emphasis on our health and safety group and adding employees to that team.”
The company added, “We have not had a serious OSHA violation since 2021, and we continue to put our employees and their safety first by emphasizing training and education. The deaths of these beloved members of our team have been devastating for all of us, and we are focusing on doing everything we can to support their loved ones and our team members.”
