Four die in freak well accident

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Three men died in vain attempts to save the life of a fourth man who was overcome by poisonous fumes while trying to clean a well in Bengkulu regency, Bengkulu province, it was reported on Tuesday.

The cause of death of the victims from Karang Tinggi village, Kembang Seri subdistrict had not been determined, a local doctor told Antara news agency.

The deceased were identified as Sulaiman Nasution, 25, Marsalim, 35, Kasim, 25, and Supran, 45.

The doctor, Mika, who heads the Karang Tinggi health community center (Puskesmas), said Sulaiman was trying to pump water from the well, which had been contaminated by oil, outside his home.

When the pump broke down, Sulaiman, assisted by Supran, attempted to climb into the 10-meter-deep well, but slipped and fell.

Supran and then Marsalim and Kasim also climbed into the well to rescue Sulaiman but also disappeared.

The accident caused panic among other villagers, who could do little to help.

However, Dedi, another local, nearly became the fifth fatality when he made a rescue attempt. A pale and weak Dedy was forced to abandon his effort after climbing only a few meters down into the well.

The villagers later reported the accident to local police, who brought in equipment to remove the bodies.

The "deadly" well was closed by the police and residents were banned from approaching the surrounding area.

Police said they investigating the cause of the deaths.