SOUR LAKE, Texas — Sour Lake officials confirm two sub-contractors have died while working on a pipe bursting project for the city.
The two contractors were at a manhole located at the intersection of Mitchell Street and Barkley Street Thursday afternoon. One man went inside the manhole for an unknown reason, according to Sour Lake Police Chief Aaron Burleson.
The man inside was overcome by sewer gas, H2S. The other worker went inside the manhole to help the man, Burleson says.
Officials say the second worker was also overcome by the sewer gas, and the two men died.
When the fire department arrived, first responders used air apparatus to enter the hole and determined both were deceased, police say.
Officials have identified the two men who died in the accident as 57-year-old Manuel Molina and 47-year-old Jose Lopez. Both men were from the Houston area.
Hardin County Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Judge Mark Ames ordered autopsy.
OSHA is investigating the incident. More information will be available once the investigation is complete.
