Smithtown FD responds to a Fatal Fall through a Manhole
By Jeff Bressler, Public Information Officer
March 1, 2010
A signal 16/23 (Ambulance requested/Trench Rescue) was toned out to the Smithtown Fire Department on Sunday, February 28 at 21:11:56 (9:11pm) with the location of 560 Route 347 to the east side of Dunkin Donuts.
Arriving units were notified of a 17-year-old male who had fallen through a damaged manhole cover and become trapped inside the sewer.
Smithtown units and Suffolk County Police Emergency Services spotted the victim in the hole and were able to bring him to the surface through the use of two pike poles (poles with a hook on the end) that were secured to his clothing.
Once extricated the victim was transported by ambulance to St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.
A search then began for any additional victims that might have also fallen into the hole. Hauppauge Technical Rescue and the Nesconset Scuba Unit joined Smithtown units in the search.
The Department of Public Works arrived at the scene with a vacuum truck to clear sludge out of the sewer to allow rescue to proceed. Once the sewer was cleared a camera was placed in the hole and a Nesconset diver was lowered to facilitate the search. No additional victims were found.
Responding to the scene were Smithtown Chiefs 4-2-31, 4-2-32, 42-33. Smithtown Rescue 4-2-9, Ladder 4-2-7, Engines 4-2-3, 4-2-4, 4-2-15, Fire Police, 4-2-14, Ambulance 4-2-61, 4-2-62
Hauppauge Chief 3-8-30, Rescue 3-8-9 and Technical Rescue.
Nesconset Chiefs 4-4-30, 4-4-31, 4-4-32, Rescue 4-4-9, Scuba Team
A standby to Smithtown headquarters was provided by Kings Park Engine 4-1-1
Units returned to respective stations at 22:43:07 (10:43pm)
Photos by Jeff Bressler, Craig Jackson
Photos by Jeff Bressler, Craig Jackson, Rob Garofalo
