Two men died as a result of the collapse of a wastewater equalization basin wall at the Gatlinburg Wastewater Treatment Facility on Tuesday.
The collapse occurred at roughly 9 a.m. Tuesday morning and fire and rescue personnel were immediately on site to search for two missing Veolia Water North America employees.
At 5 p.m. Tuesday, after an extensive search and rescue operation, crews located the bodies of the two employees, John Eslinger, 53, and Don Storey, 44. Their bodies were found under the collapsed wall section.
Gatlinburg and Veolia Water North America Officials released a joint statement saying:
"We are very deeply saddened to share the tragic news that the two missing Veolia Water employees, John D. Eslinger and Donald A. Storey, perished in today's accident.  
“Employees and officials of both the City of Gatlinburg and Veolia Water are expressing deepest sympathies to the families and are extremely saddened to lose coworkers and good friends.  
“The exact cause of the collapse of the equalization basin wall at the wastewater treatment facility is being investigated.  The City of Gatlinburg and Veolia Water are actively collaborating with all regulatory agencies in this matter."
It is estimated that about one million gallons of sewage was spilled into the Little Pigeon River as a result of the collapse.
The exact cause of the collapse of the wall at the Wastewater Treatment Facility remains unclear at this time.
Officials at the Department of Health urge people to avoid contact with the Little Pigeon River.

… read the rest of the story by Subscribing now.

... read the rest of the story by Subscribing now.