By Ivan Pereira
A father and son were killed Monday afternoon along with another man who was working with them after they all fell into a well containing toxic gas at a Jamaica recycling plant, authorities said.
Harel Dahan, 23, who worked for the South Ozone Park-based S. Dahan Inc. sewer specialists, was cleaning out the 18-foot-deep hole at a Royal Waste Services recycling center on 172-08 Douglas Ave. with his crew around 2:30 p.m. when he fell in, according to police.
Dahan’s 49-year-old father, Shlomo, who founded and owned the company, and Rene Francisco Rivas, 53, who worked for Royal, went down the hole on a ladder to try to rescue their fallen co-worker, but were overcome by hydrogen sulfide fumes, the police said.
A firefighter equipped with a breathing apparatus went into the hole and brought the men out half an hour later, but they were all pronounced dead at the scene, according to FDNY Assistant Chief John Sudnick.
The private well, which collects excess water and debris from the plant, contained 200 parts per million of hydrogen sulfide, which is fatal at 100 parts per million, the FDNY said.
Representatives for Royal Waste Services were unavailable for comment Monday evening. Dahan’s longtime friend, Abe Rosenthal of Flushing arrived at the site and reminisced about his friend.
“He was the sweetest guy I know. He was a good guy, a religious guy,” he said.
Rosenthal said Shlomo Dahan was born in Israel and lived in Brooklyn with his wife and four children, two of whom do not work for the family business. Shlomo Dahan founded S. Dahan Inc., located at 126-14 Van Wyck Expwy., more than 20 years ago, according to the company’s Web site.
Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e-mail at ipereira@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 146.
