Tragedy: Plumber dies while digging well

A 25-year-old plumber, Yahyah Ahmed, has died while digging a well for some residents of Onipanu, in the Somolu area of Lagos State.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the victim was working on Tuesday, but was suddenly trapped. He was said to have collapsed.

Efforts to rescue Ahmed by the residents were abortive.

A source said the well was about 120 feet deep, adding that after some local rescue men tried to bring him out, but failed, emergency call was placed to officials of the Lagos State Fire Service. The firefighters brought him out dead.

The source said, “The incident happened on Tuesday on Abbey Street, Onipanu. The man was a plumber and he was invited to dig the well. But as he was working, he suddenly became trapped.

“The people invited some Hausa men, but the well was too deep for them to bring him out. It was when the Lagos State Fire Service officials were invited to the scene that he was brought out.”

The Director of the Lagos State Fire Service, Rasak Fadipe, while confirming the incident, said firemen from the Alausa division responded to the emergency call.

He said the victim was brought out dead.

“We were not called until it became too late. We suspect that the victim inhaled ammonia gas while digging the well and that was what killed him. We hope the residents of Lagos will take safety precautions that will avert tragedies,” Fadipe said.