A 28-year worker was asphyxiated and another worker is battling for life at the government hospital in Pernambut in Vellore district, when they attempted to clean a domestic well without using any protective gear.
Police sources said Vadivel, 28, Bharath, 25, and Subash, 27, all residents of Pernambut town, arrived at a house in Ambedkar Nagar for cleaning a well on Tuesday morning.
After getting into the well, Vadivel and Bharath swooned on inhaling the poisonous gas leaked from the well.
On seeing the two in distress, Subash shouted for help. On receiving an emergency call, the Fire and Rescue Services personnel from Pernambut reached the spot.
They rescued Bharath and sent him to Government Hospital for treatment.
According to police sources, Vadivel died on the way to hospital.
Pernambut police registered a case and are investigating.