Fall from Audubon Water Tower Kills Worker

A man was killed in Audubon on Wednesday morning when he fell to the bottom of a water tower where he was performing maintenance work. 

A second worker also fell in the accident but became suspended about 40 feet above the floor of the empty water tower, which is owned by Audubon Water Company. He sustained unspecified injuries and was trapped for almost three hours while rescuers descended along ropes to attach a harness to him and lower him to the floor.

Authorities said the injured man was conscious throughout the ordeal, but rescuers had difficulty communicating with him because of sound conditions on the inside of the water tower. He was loaded into a waiting ambulance and transported to Paoli Hospital.

Police did not immediately identify the deceased worker, who was on his second day at the work site, according to Lower Providence Police Chief Francis "Bud" Carroll. 

A third worker was outside the water tower at the time of the accident and was not harmed. The workers were from the Corrosion Control Corporation of Salem County, NJ.

Earlier story and updates below.

Update 12:52 p.m. One worker was killed when he fell to the bottom of the water tower, according to Lower Providence Police Chief Francis "Bud" Carroll.

The second worker is suspended from a rigging inside the tower and has sustained unspecified injuries, Carroll said. Efforts to rescue him are ongoing.

A third worker at the scene was outside the tower on the ground when the accident took place. He is unharmed.

Update 12:42 p.m. WPVI-TV is reporting that one of the two trapped workers has died. A van from the Montgomery County coroner's office is at the scene.

A source at the scene has confirmed to Patch that the water tower is empty.

A news briefing from emergency officials is expected momentarily.

Update 12:26 p.m. Several rescuers equipped with ropes, harnesses, and other equipment have gathered on the top of the water tower.

Sources say that a representative from the Montgomery County coroner's office has been requested to the scene.

It's not clear whether the tank currently has any water or other liquid inside it.

Update 12:07 p.m. Reports on Montgomery County Public Safety Radio indicate that one of the two men has been spotted alive and responsive inside the water tower.

We're as yet unable to confirm numerous third party reports on the condition of the other worker.

Update 11:58 a.m. Fire crews are cutting away tree branches from near the water tower so that a ladder truck can better access the top of the tower.

Fire crews from Lower Providence, King of Prussia, Norristown, and Skippack are among the responders at the scene.

Initial report below.

Emergency responders are at a water tank on Featherbed Lane in Audubon after two workers reportedly became trapped inside the tank.

PhillyFireNews.com reported on its Facebook page that two workers reportedly fell down the 100-foot-tall tank.

There is no official word yet on the condition of either worker.

A reporter is at the scene. We'll update this article with additional information as it becomes available.