Downers Grove storm sewer rescue becomes recovery mission; 1 worker still missing

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. - Two contractor workers became trapped in a storm sewer beneath a Downers Grove street as severe weather moved through the Chicago area Monday afternoon, authorities said.

One worker was rescued and is hospitalized in good condition, but a second worker remains missing after officials suspended active rescue efforts because of dangerous conditions inside the sewer.

Rescue mission turned recovery mission

Downers Grove police said officers were flagged down at about 12:50 p.m. by workers at a storm sewer construction site in the 800 block of Curtiss Street.

Workers told officers that two contractors were trapped in a storm sewer beneath the street.

The Downers Grove Fire Department responded and launched a technical rescue operation.

One worker was rescued about 200 feet from the original point of entry and transported to Endeavor Health Good Samaritan Hospital, where the worker is reported to be in good condition, police said.

The second worker remains missing. Fire officials said the operation has transitioned from a rescue mission to a recovery mission because current water conditions inside the storm sewer make search efforts too dangerous.

What's next:

Officials said the search will resume once conditions inside the storm sewer improve.

The system drains water from entire neighborhoods, so runoff from surrounding streets continues flowing into the pipes long after a storm has passed. It can take several hours — and sometimes an entire day — for water levels to naturally recede to a safe level.

Rescue crews also must check air monitoring systems and wait until any potentially toxic gases trapped inside have cleared before entering.

The backstory:

Parts of downtown Downers Grove sit above an underground culvert system. Village officials said an 11-foot-wide concrete pipe was installed in the 1960s to help prevent flooding by carrying St. Joseph Creek and stormwater beneath the heart of downtown, near the Civic Center.

After decades of carrying both creek flow and storm runoff, the pipe had deteriorated and needed repairs, according to the village.

The village's website says the multi-year infrastructure project has faced repeated weather delays. Public updates dating back to the spring say heavy rainfall has slowed cleaning, debris removal and installation of a new liner inside the 11-foot pipe.

Just two weeks ago, the village said crews had finished lining the section of pipe up to Curtiss and Belden avenues — the intersection where the incident occurred. Work was expected to continue west toward the Civic Center and the parking deck.

By the numbers:

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 60 people died in confined spaces such as sewers, manholes and storm drains nationwide between 2011 and 2018.

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