FARIBAULT, Minn. — The Faribault Fire and Police Departments launched an investigation after they found a man in a manhole who later died.
The two agencies and an ambulance initially responded to the 1900 block of Second Avenue NW just after 7:30 a.m. on Saturday for reports of an unresponsive man in a manhole, according to a statement.
Upon arrival, the firefighters tested and verified the presence of "extremely high levels" of hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide, with low levels of oxygen, according to the fire department.
Firefighters were able to enter the manhole and placed oxygen on the man before removing him from the confined space.
The man was air-lifted to a hospital but did not survive.
“This is a tragic event and our hearts go out to the family and friends of the individual,” said Fire Chief Dustin Dienst, in a social media post.
