Man asphyxiated while cleaning septic tank

ARUPPUKOTTAI

In a tragic incident, a 30-year-old man, T. Sabarinathan, died of asphyxiation while cleaning a septic tank in a house in Poolangal under Paralachi police station limits in Virudhunagar district on Thursday.

The police said Sabarinathan, who was operating a septic tank cleaning tanker service, and one C. Rajapandi, 31, of Aruppukottai were involved in cleaning the septic tank in the house of one Kader Basha around noon.

While Sabarinathan was standing outside, Rajapandi got into the tank to remove a block in a pipeline and accidentally fell into the tank. Even as he was struggling in the cesspool, Sabarinathan jumped in to save him.

Another man, Ramar, who noticed the accident, raised an alarm, following which people in the vicinity rushed to their rescue. A sari was lowered into the 10-foot-deep septic tank and Rajapandi managed to come out. However, Sabarinathan, fell unconscious and died of asphyxiation.

Rajapandi, who was administered first aid at Aruppukottai Government Hospital, was referred to Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai.

Paralachi police are investigating.