Bob Anderson is disgusted that a week after his 5-year-old son fell into an uncovered manhole, in the middle of a construction zone on Coal Ave, little has been changed to ensure public safety. He says it's only a matter of time before someone else gets hurt or even worse.
The little boy fell more than 11ft down into the gaping hole, splashing into a pool of raw sewage. His father jumped in after him, grabbed the little boy, and with help from his wife who pulled the two out of the hole from above, was able to rescue his child.
"It scared him more than anything," Anderson explained saying his son is fine now. "It scared both of us."
Anderson says it was dark on their evening walk and the metal cover, that was supposed to cover the pit, had been moved. Since the accident city crews have been sweeping the construction site every night and on weekends they survey it twice checking to make sure all the holes are covered and the area is as safe as possible.
Anderson, who went back to survey the street Saturday, said that's not enough. "Anyone can just pick this up and throw this off," he said pulling off the thin steal plate covering the manhole and others like it along street. He says more should be done to secure the covers and make sure they can't be tampered with.
"They're (the city) trying to blame the people for their sloppiness and their job here," Anderson said. "I'm afraid somebody's going to get hurt before this is all over."
News 13 observed bikers, walkers and even young children wandering through the active construction zone Saturday afternoon. The city explained that's a hazard and advise using Lead which just re-opened instead, insisting that street has a newly renovated bike lanes and sidewalks.
Source: Celina Westervelt, KRQE.com