The Madison County Coroner’s Office has released the identities of the two construction workers who were found deceased on Friday at a residential development in Edwardsville.
Jack M. Pfund, 19, of Edwardsville, and Cody W. Toenyes, 22, of Alton, were identified by the Madison County's Coroner's Office and confirmed to the Edwardsville Police Department as of Monday. The two men were found deceased in the 100 block of East Union Street in a manhole that led to storm sewer piping.
The Edwardsville Police and Fire departments responded to the scene at about 6:55 p.m. Friday for a 911 call about a person in need of rescue from a manhole. It’s believed the two workers had entered the manhole sometime in the late afternoon.
The victims were recovered about 8:30 p.m. Friday. A member of the Edwardsville Police Department who was among the first to respond was taken to a local hospital for evaluation Friday night. He was later released.
Fire Chief James Whiteford said the atmosphere where the men were located was found to contain very little oxygen and a buildup of toxic gases, as is common in confined underground spaces. The two men were nonresponsive, and a rescue was attempted. Upon determining the men were deceased, the operation transitioned to a recovery effort.
Whiteford said 18 of his personnel were involved in the rescue attempt, 13 of them are members of the Technical Rescue Team, a division of the Madison County Emergency Management Agency. Whiteford said conditions within the manhole required more advanced breathing equipment.
Kathie Opel, of the Weinheimer Opel Law Firm, who represents the Pfund family and their company, issued a statement late Monday on the family's behalf. "The Pfund Construction family suffered a tragic loss of two members of our team on Friday. We are all grieving this loss and respectfully request privacy and appreciate your understanding during this incredibly difficult time." Jack is the son of Pfund Construction CEO and President Matt Pfund and Kristen Pfund and worked as an operation coordinator.
A celebration of life will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday at the Ink House, 117 N. 2nd St. in Edwardsville. In lieu of flowers the family request memorial to Edwardsville Neighbors. Condolences may be expressed online at weberfuneralhome.com.
The Intelligencer is working to reach out to the Toenyes family for comment.