Man Drowns Trying to Get Phone in Sewer

Guardian ^ | June 7, 2007

[COUNTrecount]

A 41-year-old man drowned Wednesday after getting stuck in a storm sewer trying to retrieve a cell phone, police said.

The man weighed more that 300 pounds and was wedged with his head and shoulders underwater in a vertical storm drain in front of his home, said police Lt. Tim Eirich.

The man's identity was not released pending notification of relatives.

Neighbor Chris Van Erem said he saw the man kneeling over the sewer before he fell in. Police said the man pulled the iron gate off trying to get the cell phone.

Then, a child from the neighborhood ran toward Van Erem frantically. Van Erem said he then saw the man's feet sticking up out of the grate.

``I ran over and tried to pull him on out,'' Van Erem said. ``Absolutely helpless was the feeling. I couldn't budge him.''

Van Erem had the child call 911 as he continued to try to free the man.

``I could see his head and his shoulders were completely under the water,'' he said. ``His legs weren't moving. He was completely unresponsive.''

Van Erem said it ultimately took six firefighters to pull the man from the sewer. Sheboygan County Coroner David Leffin ruled the man's death as an accidental drowning.

[1rudeboy]

Any word on why he was trying to get his phone into the sewer?

[Old Sarge]

Did he breed?

[cricket]

Actually; he was trying to retrieve his phone from the sewer. Apparently a nice man; good neighbor; who like many of us; was very attached to his cell phone. . .but I would NEVER reach into a sewer to get it back; even if ringing. . .

Another story; alongside this one; is that of teenage boy who drowns; trying to save his.

[Publius]

Sewercide.

[Harrius Magnus]

I was the one that was hoping that cell phones DID CAUSE brain cancer, so in my book, he got off easy. /(sarc off for the Pansys that get offended oh-so-easily)

[COUNTrecount]

Any word on why he was trying to get his phone into the sewer?

He heard that the Darwin Awards were looking for candidates.

[Thrownatbirth]

NEVER reach into a sewer to get it back; even if ringing.

I think he REALLY wanted to order a pizza.

[arderkrag]

Yeh, he just had to have that fix...

[359Henrie]

Dude...,best comment of the night.

[gcruse]

You’d have to have a heart of stone not to laugh at this.

[Paisan]

Thank you. I thought I was alone with that sentiment...

[Captainpaintball]

Sewercide.

That was good.

[cricket]

Pizza can motivate people. . .;^) Moments earlier; he was talking to his neighbor; tellling him what he was going to next in his yard. . .

[Jeff Chandler]

Note to self: Do not achieve 300 lbs weight and attempt to retrieve cell phone from sewer.