Updated at 7:20 p.m., Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Body of man who fell in Laie cesspool recovered
Advertiser Staff
The body of a man who apparently fell into a cesspool in La'ie was recovered tonight shortly before 7 p.m.Honolulu Emergency Services spokesman Bryan Cheplic said man was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:54 p.m.
The man was identified by an employee as Pauu Pooi of La'ie.
The accident happened about 9:45 a.m. today as Pooi, a subcontractor, was working on a project on Naupaka Street to replace cesspools and connect the area to the city sewer system, said the employee, Neil Haunga.
Cathleen Dagher, the consulting archeologist on the project, said Pooi was standing on the ground adjacent to the cesspool when the ground gave way and he fell 30 feet.
The cesspool's concrete cap then fell on top of the man, Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. Terry Seelig said. The cesspool had been decommissioned and emptied but there was some sludge at the bottom, Seelig said.
Haunga described Pooi as a father of three.
