Fatality inspecting water tank - Massachusetts

[DandyDon]

It sound like equipment failed, and the spotter was not well prepared

Diver dies inside Braintree water tank during inspection gone wrong

A diver died inside a massive municipal water tank in Braintree on Thursday while performing a mandatory five-year inspection, according to The Boston Globe.

The diver, an employee of a Texas contractor, reported losing air over a radio prior to his death, according to The Globe, prompting a spotter on top of tank to plunge in and attempt a rescue.

At around 10:45 a.m., members of Braintree Fire Department responded as well, scaling the Lincoln Street structure and commencing attempts to pluck the pair from inside the tank, according to CBS Boston.

Only one made it out.

Two firefighters lifted out the spotter -- who was suffering hypothermia and required treatment at a local hospital, according to NECN.

"We believe that perhaps some of the equipment may have failed, which led to the diver passing away," Braintree Mayor Joseph Sullivan told The Globe.

According to ABC Boston, the inspection team were a father and son -- the father diving, the son spotting. Neither man's name has been released.

The Globe reported the million-gallon tank was still in the process of being drained in order to recover the body at around 3:30 p.m.

 

[Bubblesong]

So sad, not far from our home.

 

[KevinNM]

I though commercial jobs normally should have a safety diver (who is fully prepared to dive within a minute and a problem) and a tender?

 

[archer1960]

This is speculation on my part, but I wonder if he had a regulator freeze up. The air temps were in the teens and low 20s (F) yesterday, and in the 30s for several days before that, so the water would have been quite cold as well.

 

[Shasta_man]

Not that it would be any better if not related, but if father and son, omg that will scar forever. Very sad.

 

[Buliwyf]

That's like dying in a pool?

Wonder if a free flow stress caused a heart attack? Or the leak was enough of a distraction to get entangled on a float switch wire or something.

 

[Kharon]

Why would this be done in the middle of winter? Couldn't it wait till spring or summer?

 

[rhwestfall]

Why would this be done in the middle of winter? Couldn't it wait till spring or summer?

IMHO - two possible answers:

very specialized and limited field of contractors. These guys work their tails off round the country, scheduling as many in a geographical area as possible (lose money on return trips).

Also,

flows (consumer demand) are at their least in this time of year, large vessles can go off line or have stable conditions better for diving/inspection

Truth be told, we have been utilizing ROV services rather than divers, and feel we are better off.....

 

[AquadocP]

I've not read the Saftey line on this but on the surface it seems as tho he did not follow ADCI/DCBC/IMCA Standards and payed the price for it. Unfortunate and Sad but prolly true. Untended SCUBA in a tank that big. BUT he DID have Comms so...????