“Three Hog Hunters and Dog Die in Tragic Texas Tank Accident”

Three hog hunters from Florida tragically died in an underground tank filled with sewer gas in Texas, while attempting to rescue their dog. The bodies of two men, a woman, and the dog were recovered from the tank. The hole, described as a cistern, contained water and hydrogen sulfide gas. The hunters likely succumbed to the gas and sank to the bottom. Authorities identified the victims as Delvys Garcia, Denise Martinez, and Noel Vigil-Benitez, all from Florida. The cistern had a dangerous level of hydrogen sulfide, and efforts to recover the bodies were complicated by the gas and structural concerns. https://www.kait8.com reported

In a tragic incident, three hog hunters from Florida lost their lives in a subterranean tank filled with sewer gas in a rural area near Austin, Texas. The unfortunate incident occurred when one of the hunters attempted to rescue their dog, which had fallen into the hole, and the other two jumped in subsequently to save them.

The bodies of two men, a woman, and the dog were recovered from the tank, which was identified as a cistern located in a cornfield. The cistern had a 4-foot-wide opening and contained 8 feet of water along with hydrogen sulfide gas. According to Bastrop County Sheriff Maurice Cook, the sequence of events unfolded in the early hours of Wednesday when one of the men entered the cistern to save the bloodhound. The clothing and boots of the other two hunters were found near the hole, indicating that they had removed them before joining the rescue effort.

Sheriff Cook explained that it is believed the hunters were overwhelmed by the toxic hydrogen sulfide gas inside the hole and subsequently sank to the bottom. The absence of any covering made the cistern an open hazard in the middle of the cornfield.

The victims have been identified as Delvys Garcia (37), Denise Martinez (26), and Noel Vigil-Benitez (45), all hailing from Florida. Sheriff Cook highlighted that the cistern had a “high level” of hydrogen sulfide, which could have been caused by stagnant water and decomposition of previously deceased animals in the tank.

A fourth member of the hunting party, a Texan resident, did not enter the cistern. This individual informed the authorities that the dog had escaped from their truck, and they had traced its location using a collar device.

The recovery of the bodies was complicated by the concerns of dive teams regarding the gas levels and the structural integrity of the cistern’s walls. The tank emitted strong fumes similar to those of a septic tank, further complicating the operation, according to a statement from the sheriff’s office..