Updated: Man Dies After Falling Into Manhole in Fenton Township

One man is dead after falling into a manhole in Fenton Township, the Tri-County Times reports.

The article stated that two men, who were contracted sewer workers, were working on a Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) project on the sanitary sewer lines when one man fell. It is believed the men may not have been wearing the proper safety equipment.

Fenton Township Battalion Chief Ryan Volz told Fenton Patch one sewer worker fell 25 feet through a manhole and was unconscious for at least 15 minutes before rescue crews arrived. He said a co-worker, attempting to rescue him, was overcome by the powerful fumes of the sewer gas about 4:30 p.m. and was "pretty disoriented" when taken away by ambulance. Officials said both men were face down in the water when rescued.

Linden Police officer Gary Conklin descended into the hole before Fenton Township firefighters arrived and turned the men over so their faces were not in the water. Conklin had to be put on oxygen after exiting the manhole.

Fenton Township Firefighters brought both men from the hole by wrapping them in rope with a harness and pulling them out. They were taken to Genesys Regional Medical Center. 

"Sewer gas isn't good," Volz said.

It appears the men were doing sewer work in the area. A nearby tractor read "Nix Contracting," which is a Fenton-based contractor.

The Fenton Press reported a Schwan's food delivery truck driver also tried to help when the men fell in.

The manhole is on Horizon Lakes Boulevard off of Silver Lake Road.