Reports of two youth inside a manhole caused a scare in the Woodlands neighbourhood on Wednesday afternoon.
RCMP responded to a call to Woodlands Road shortly after school let out. They later learned from residents that the youth had climbed out of the manhole and left the area before police and fire services arrived.
Until then, members of the public works department searched the storm sewer system along the road, calling out for anyone to “please come out.”
One resident, who stopped to talk to the Gazette while the search was ongoing, said he drove by the manhole and saw a youth halfway inside, grinning at him.
Brian Brost, manager of utilities for the city, said they were not sure how the youth were able to lift the manhole cover. The covers are heavy and are usually opened with tools.
He emphasized people need to stay away from the manholes because the storm sewer system is dangerous. Any suspicious activity should be reported to the city, he said.
“These pipes are meant to carry water … and in a heavy rain event those pipes are full and if a person was in there they could drown,” he said. “As well as dangers from other hazards in the atmosphere … it’s a contained space so there is potential for hazardous gases and low oxygen levels.”
City crews closed the manhole cover after ensuring that no one was in the pipes.
