ATHENS-O Monday, December 9 Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson Issued a statement concerning te rescue of three people who were over come by paint fumes around 9:30 AM:
“This morning, Monday, December 9 shortly before 9:30 the police department was notified of an employee stuck inside of a tank at Keenum’s Construction Co on Hwy 31 south..
When officers arrived they found the employee was inside a construction water tank on the back of a large truck. He had been painting the inside and was apparently overcome by the fumes and was barely breathing. Sgt. Katrina Flanagan went into the tank to rescue the worker. A second employ entered the tank to assist Sgt Flanagan. While trying to get the first employee out the second employee told Sgt. Flanagan he couldn’t breath, she took off the breathing device she was wearing and gave it to him. Athens Fire Department arrived and was able to pull the original employee from the tank. The second employee and Sgt. Flanagan were also affected by the fumes and had to be assisted out of the tank. All three were transported to Athens Limestone Hospital’s Emergency Room by ambulance.
I can’t speak about the condition of the Keenum employees however were expecting Sgt. Flanagan to be releases this afternoon. Currently I do not have any information on the employees.”
