New York Firefighter, Worker Die in Manhole Incident

A New York firefighter who climbed down into a manhole to try to rescue a worker apparently overcome by fumes has died along with the man he tried to save.

Tarrytown village officials identified the victims as firefighter John Kelly and Department of Public Works employee Anthony Ruggiero.

The two men were pulled from the manhole by rescuers and pronounced dead at a hospital.

Tarrytown Village Administrator Michael Blau says Ruggiero was responding to a report of a sewer backup when he entered the manhole Monday. Kelly was called in to help out and tried to save Ruggiero.

Both were knocked unconscious by possible fumes in the sewer. They were pulled out about 6:30 p.m.

Their deaths are under investigation.

Tarrytown is about 20 miles northwest of Manhattan.