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Three hog hunters from Florida, along with their dog, died in an underground tank filled with sewer gas in Texas. The incident occurred when one of the hunters tried to rescue the dog, followed by the other two jumping in to save them. The bodies were recovered from an underground cistern, which contained water and hydrogen sulfide gas. Authorities believe the hunters were overcome by the gas and sank to the bottom of the tank. The victims have been identified as Delvys Garcia, Denise Martinez, and Noel Vigil-Benitez, all from Florida. accident-died-trying-to-rescue-dog/13634729/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>ABC11 Raleigh-Durham reported
An unfortunate incident occurred in Austin, Texas, where three hog hunters from Florida lost their lives in a tragic accident. The hunters were attempting to rescue their dog after it fell into an underground tank filled with sewer gas. In a chain of events, one of the hunters entered the cistern to save the dog, followed by the other two who also jumped in to assist. The bodies of two men, a woman, and the dog were later recovered from the tank, which was located in a cornfield on the outskirts of Austin.
Bastrop County Sheriff Maurice Cook provided details about the cistern, describing it as a structure similar to a well used for water storage. The cistern had an opening approximately 4 feet wide and contained 8 feet of water, along with hydrogen sulfide gas. It was revealed that the tragic incident occurred during the early hours of Wednesday when one of the hunters entered the cistern to rescue their bloodhound. The clothing and boots of the other two hunters were found near the hole, indicating that they had also entered the cistern after removing their belongings.
Sheriff Cook explained that it is believed the hunters were overcome by hydrogen sulfide gas and subsequently sank to the bottom of the cistern. The absence of any cover or protective barrier around the hole makes the accident even more devastating. The victims have been identified as Delvys Garcia, 37; Denise Martinez, 26; and Noel Vigil-Benitez, 45, all of whom hailed from Florida.
The sheriff emphasized that the cistern had a “high level” of hydrogen sulfide, which can be deadly. Stagnant water and the decomposition of other animals previously present in the cistern contribute to the formation of these lethal gas levels. The hunting party consisted of a fourth individual from Texas who did not enter the cistern. This individual recounted that the dog had escaped from their truck, and they used a tracking device attached to the dog’s collar to locate it.
Efforts to recover the bodies were hindered by concerns from dive teams regarding the toxic gas and the structural integrity of the cistern’s walls. The tank emitted strong fumes, similar to those of a septic tank, according to a statement from the sheriff’s office. Additionally, there are indications that the property owner had already passed away before this incident occurred, prompting an investigation by the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office to determine the property’s ownership.
Sheriff Cook concluded by urging the public to take precautions and cover any similar hazards to prevent such tragic events from reoccurring. This unfortunate incident has been described by family members and friends of the victims as a “huge loss for everyone.”.
