Timothy B. Haas died after helping to rescue Bruce M. Haas from suffocation, Chagrin Falls, Ohio, May 30, 2008. Bruce, 49, became disoriented by fumes while inside the 20,000-gallon, aboveground gasoline storage tank that he was cleaning. His son, Timothy, 17, high school student, was working with him on the job and was atop the tank with another worker. When they saw Bruce’s affected state and called to him, Timothy without hesitation entered the tank through a small opening in its top and descended to its floor. He grasped Bruce and with difficulty aided him up the ladder toward the opening, where the other worker helped Bruce leave the tank. Timothy then collapsed in the tank. As the other worker shouted for help to Timothy’s brother, who was nearby, Bruce re-entered the tank for Timothy. Timothy’s brother then entered the tank, and together he and Bruce attempted to lift Timothy. The brother collapsed. Responding rescue personnel removed all three men from the tank. Bruce and Timothy’s brother required hospital treatment for their injuries, but Timothy died at the scene of asphyxia.
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