June 29, 2009 3 workers die in NYC sewer hole Play video

(NECN/WCBS: Jamaica Queens, N.Y. ) - Three New York City workers got trapped in a sewer hole on Monday, and died before firefighters could get them out.

Authorities said toxic fumes and three feet of water in the hole may have contributed to their deaths, but it's too early to tell if they drowned or died from the fumes.

Initially, two men went into the 18-foot deep sewage hole.

When they did not come out, a third worker went in. He did not return either.

Firefighters were called to the Jamaica, Queens neighborhood at about 2:30 p.m.

They found the workers about half an hour later.

Attempts to revive the men were unsuccessful and they were pronounced dead at the scene.

The accident happened at a transfer station for solid waste.

Material courtesy of WCBS.