EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville Fire Chief James Whiteford said Saturday the bodies of two construction workers who had been operating at a residential development in the 100 block of East Union Street were recovered Friday, August 19. He said the two men were found deceased in a manhole that led to storm sewer piping. The Edwardsville Police and Fire Departments responded to the scene at about 6:55 p.m. Friday for a 911 call about a person in need of rescue from a manhole. It’s believed the two workers had entered the manhole sometime in the late afternoon. Fire Chief Whiteford said the atmosphere where the men were located was found to contain very little oxygen and a buildup of toxic gases, as is common in confined underground spaces. The two men were nonresponsive, and rescue was attempted. Upon determining the men were deceased, the operation transitioned to a recovery effort. The victims were recovered about 8:30 p.m. Friday. A member of the Edwardsville Police Department
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