Thomas Gage died attempting to save Thomas J. DeClue from suffocation, St. Louis, Missouri, August 4, 1970. DeClue, 25, and Gage, 23, sewer construction workers, went with a supervisor to a sewer manhole to check for possible blockage. Unknown to them, sewer gas had accumulated to a dangerous level. When DeClue descended a ladder to the bottom of the manhole, which was 14 feet deep, he felt weak and, after shouting a warning of gas, lost consciousness. The supervisor went to the supply truck to radio for help and to get a rope. When he returned to the manhole, Gage was inside and bent over DeClue. Gage also had been overcome by the gas. Firemen with special equipment removed the two men. DeClue responded to resuscitation efforts and recovered; but Gage could not be revived.
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