McCook, Neb.-Tragedy struck at the McCook Wastewater Treatment Plant after an accident left two employees dead.
According to a news release from the city, at approximately 12:17 p.m., Sunday, September 6, officers from the McCook Police Department responded to the City of McCook Wastewater Treatment Plant located on Ravenswood Road, which is east of the McCook City limits. A welfare check was made after one of the employees did not return home after a routine check of the facilities.
The release says as officers responded to the wastewater facility, they observed personal items of one of the employees left outside of what is referred to as the sludge pumphouse, prompting officers to check inside for the workers. Officers then discovered two deceased victims inside the sludge pumphouse and secured the scene. Due to toxic gasses and hazardous materials inside the facility, McCook Fire and Rescue and the Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department Hazardous Material Team were dispatched to the scene for recovery of the deceased employees.
Officials say once the bodies were recovered the victims were positively identified as City of McCook employees Larry Dicke, age 65, and Kenneth Keslin, age 43. The McCook Police Department’s investigation is ongoing at this time. Further details will be shared as more information is learned.