Mine Deaths: Drowning or Gas?

British Columbia (Canada) officials are conducting an inquest into the death of four men near the town of Kimberly, including two paramedics, who died inside a shaft of a de-commissioned mine. The incident began when one worker collapsed, and a second dialed 911 for help, telling the dispatcher he believed the man had drowned. The man then said he was going back to the shed to rescue his co-worker. The dispatcher sent emergency units, telling them it was a possible drowning. When the two paramedic arrived, the entered the shed and, like the caller, were overcome by gas or lack of oxygen, and died. The four men’s bodies were later recovered by a special rescue team. Read a full account and the dispatcher’s explanation here.