Teenager suffocates in manhole tragedy (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Teenager suffocates in manhole tragedy

11:11am Friday 9th February 2007

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A LACK of oxygen killed a teenager who was found down a manhole.

An investigation is underway into the death of Paul Jackson, 19, from Beckton, who was pulled from a sewer beneath the corner of Tavistock Avenue and Blackhorse Lane, Walthamstow, in October last year.

At the time of the incident he was working for Kent-based MTS Cleaning Services, who were contracted by Thames Water to clean the drains. The Health and Safety Executive are currently investigating the tragedy and have not ruled out the possibility of a criminal prosecution.

According to police reports Mr Jackson suffered a heart attack at the scene but paramedics managed to regain a pulse and he was taken to the Royal London Hospital by air ambulance, where he died a few days later.

A post mortem revealed he died of respiratory failure due to a blood clot on the brain caused by a lack of oxygen. An inquest into the death is will be held later this year.

An MTS spokesman confirmed Mr Jackson was not told to go down the manhole and said it was unclear why he ended up below ground.

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