RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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The body of a contractor trapped in a Downers Grove storm drain was recovered on Tuesday, a day after two workers went missing as storms moved through the area.
Crews recovered the body around 5 p.m., town officials said on social media, more than a day after they rescued the other employee from the sewer drain.
The worker's identity has not been released. The DuPage County coroner’s office was determining the cause and manner of death, town officials said.
The rescue effort began around 12:50 p.m. Monday, when a Vortex employee flagged down Downers Grove police officers in the 800 block of Curtiss Street, town officials said. The employee told police that two workers were trapped in the storm drains. Downers Grove firefighters later arrived to perform a rescue.
Two hours later, firefighters rescued one of the workers about 200 feet down the drain, officials said. He was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in good condition.
The second worker was found dead Tuesday in the storm sewer near Washington Street, officials said.
Officials said the man worked for the Houston, Texas-based Vortex Lining Systems LLC.
"We are devastated by the loss of our team member following an unexpected major rain event, and are doing everything we can to support his family during this incredibly difficult time," the company said in a statement. "We thank rescue crew members and first responders for their tremendous efforts."
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was investigating the incident.
The employees had been working on a large-diameter pipe rehabilitation project to help maintain an 11-foot diameter, 2,200 foot long pipe installed in the 1960s that carries water from the St Joseph Creek to downtown Downers Grove. The project, begun last year, is set to be completed by the end of 2027.
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