UPDATE: 2 p.m.
Shortly before 9:00 a.m. Friday morning two workers were working below the street in the sewer system on 19th and Howard Streets when rain and water came through.
According to Omaha Fire, the department was dispatched for a "confined space rescue." One worker, a 50-year-old man, was located and was hooked to a metal wire haul system. OFD says that it assisted in cranking the haul system out of the sewer and bringing the first worker safely to the surface.
A second worker, a 41-year-old man, was not hooked to any rope or hauling system and a search began to locate him.
According to OFD: "With the help of the Ace Pipe Cleaning and Omaha Public Works Departments, OFD was provided mapping and general knowledge of the sewer system to assist in locating victim #2. Crews were notified by dispatch that victim #2 had been located in a culvert near Jones pumping station near the river."
Around 10:30 a.m., an hour and a half later, the other worker was rescued. He was able to get out of the water, according to OFD, but was still trapped by metal grates when he was located. OFD crews used rotary saws to cut the metal cover over the culvert where he was trapped. The man was taken to Nebraska Medicine in critical condition. The fire department said he was shaken up, but alert.
Assistant Fire Marshal Joseph Caniglia said in a statement: "This incident had a successful conclusion due to the seamless collaboration with Sewers, OPD, and the contractor all working to support OFD and the rescue effort. The information provided by the other agencies was invaluable, and helped to provide a very favorable outcome. This is an infrequent event and our crews were prepared at every level."
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