The bodies of three Florida victims and their dog were discovered in an underground tank filled with sewer gas in Bastrop, Texas. The victims were identified as Denise Martinez, Delvys Garcia, and Noel Vigil-Benitez, all from South Florida. The tragic incident occurred during a hog hunting party when attempts to rescue a trapped dog failed. An autopsy has been ordered, and the bodies were taken to the medical examiner’s office for further investigation. The cause of the incident is still under investigation. Nikki Dobrin reported
The bodies of three individuals from Florida, along with their dog, were discovered in an underground tank filled with hazardous sewer gas in a cornfield in Bastrop, Texas. The victims have been identified as Denise Martinez, Delvys Garcia, and Noel Vigil-Benitez, who were all part of a hog hunting party from South Florida. Unfortunately, the dog did not survive. According to the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office, first responders encountered a partially filled underground cistern emitting strong fumes similar to those of a septic tank. Despite their efforts, no signs of life were found. Autopsies have been ordered, and the bodies, as well as the dog, have been taken to the medical examiner’s office by a local funeral home. The incident occurred when one of the victims, while attempting to save their bloodhound that had fallen into the hole, prompted the other two victims to jump in as well. A fourth individual, who remains unidentified, called 911 from their hunting truck instead of entering the cistern. Underground cisterns are typically used for rainwater collection and well water storage. The opening of the hole was approximately 4 feet wide and contained 8 feet of water and hydrogen sulfide gas. Efforts to recover the bodies were hindered by the fumes, stagnant water, and structural instability of the cistern. Eventually, the cistern was ventilated and the water removed, allowing a drone to be deployed to assess the integrity of the walls. With the assistance of local fire and utility crews, a member of the sheriff’s office successfully retrieved the bodies and the bloodhound from the hole. The investigation into the circumstances leading up to the victims’ presence in the cistern is still ongoing..