3 workers trying to clean New York City sewer are trapped, killed in manhole

3 sewer workers trapped, killed in NYC manhole

NEW YORK — New York City police say three workers trying to clean a sewer got trapped down a manhole and died.

Firefighters had been attempting to rescue the workers, but authorities believe they were already dead when they arrived. The three worked for a private contractor.

Officials say two of the workers apparently went into the manhole to check it out. When they didn’t return, the third worker went in.

A fire department spokesman says firefighters were alerted at 2:30 p.m. Monday and sent rescue units to the site in the Jamaica neighborhood.