Chennai: A 28-year-old man was asphyxiated while cleaning a well in Gudiyatham in Vellore on Tuesday morning.
The deceased has been identified as Vadivel (28) of Peranampattu near Gudiyatham in Vellore, who has been a manual scavenger for several years. He lives with his wife Ranjini and two children.
The incident happened at around 11 am on Tuesday, when three men Vadivel( 28), Bharath( 25) and Subash(26) of Peranmpattu got into the 30 feet well of Paneer's house in the locality to clean it.
The well had not been cleaned for three years, sources said. As they got to the bottom, they realised that it cannot be cleaned and started climbing out of it.
But halfway up the well, they all fell unconscious. By the time several people have gathered at the scene.
A team of fire service and rescue personnel from Peranampattu fire station reached the spot and rescued them.
The three men who were unconscious were taken to the Vellore government hospital where the Vadivel was declared brought dead. Doctor's reports said he had inhaled a harmful gas which led to asphyxiation.
The Peranampattu police registered a case and began enquiries. They took Paneer under police custody, sources said.
It is to be noted that manual scavenging is illegal and those employing manual scavengers are punishable by law.
