George Borg and his son Charlon unknowingly inhaled toxic gases when they jumped into a government manhole in Qormi to retrieve the hole’s cover, police sources said.

Charlon, 17, died on Thursday after falling unconscious in the manhole that leads to the Water Services Corporation’s drainage system. His 46-year-old father was last night still battling for his life.

The sources said the incident happened when the two went there to dump waste, including excrement and straw, from their animal farm lying not far away. At some point the cover fell into the manhole.

The sources believe the two of them jumped into the pit, which is not very deep, to retrieve the cover. It is believed they were not authorised to dump the waste there. The manhole is located close to the town’s fireworks factory.

The autopsy on Charlon’s body carried out yesterday revealed that the young man died due to inhalation of toxic gases, the sources said.

Joe Debono, who mans a yard where skips are kept close-by, saw the two men driving their vacuum tanker up to the manhole, situated in Tal-Bonċ, at about 2 p.m. At about 4.30 p.m., people from the St George’s fireworks factory were asked for assistance.

Witnesses said they found Mr Borg lying on top of his son but could not find the manhole cover. With the help of the victim’s uncle, Charlon’s younger brother was lowered into the hole and tied ropes around the victims’ waists.

The boy’s mouth was covered so he would not inhale any poisonous gases during the rescue attempt.

Initially, those on the scene were reluctant to let the young boy into the hole but he was adamant on doing something to help his father and brother.

Mr Debono, who is an old friend of Mr Borg, said Charlon had turned purple and was completely unconscious while his father was muttering something incomprehensible as he was pulled out.

They were given first aid by ambulance personnel at about 5 p.m. and both were taken to Mater Dei Hospital where the teenager died shortly after, the police said.

Charlon, known as Il-Mulla, was an active member of the youth section of the External Feasts Committee. He would have celebrated his 18th birthday on Monday and his friends recalled how much he was looking forward to the day.

Some of them said he “injected” energy into community activities.

Lost for words, his friend and fellow committee member Ray Bonello described Charlon as “punctual at all costs”.

“He was always on time, rain or shine... However, he did not make it on time on Thursday,” Mr Bonello said, his voice trailing.

A classmate and friend, George Spiteri, 18, said Charlon was always joking. “All will miss him because he used to tease everyone,” he said, recalling an occasion when a woman told him he was a “bad man” and he replied that “there are a lot of bad people in the world if I am bad”.

Mr Spiteri said Charlon’s wish to help carry the statue of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane in the Good Friday procession came true last April. His enthusiasm for religious feasts was “huge”.

Charlon wanted to join the police force and had already obtained an application for the driving licence, which he would have submitted as soon as he turned 18. Following his birthday, he also wanted to buy a 60-foot flag pole to install on his rooftop.

His village decoration partner George Falzon had this summer erected a pole on his rooftop with Charlon’s help. “Who would have thought that the first time I would fly the flag at half mast would be for my dearest friend,” he said tearfully.

Mr Falzon, 27, recalled how on Thursday he had heard the sound of police cars, with sirens blaring, heading towards the fireworks factory.

“I didn’t make much of it at the time. However, my heart missed a beat when 5 p.m. passed and St Francis Square, where Charlon had to put up some decorations, was still bare,” Mr Falzon said.

“Qormi has lost a man, a friend, a son and a brother and the committee has lost a hard worker,” he added.

“Charlon was an ordinary, yet extraordinary man who would light up anyone’s day in a simple manner,” Fr Karist Zammit, the former vice parish priest, said.

On Sunday, Fr Zammit celebrated Mass where Charlon was officially blessed as a layman of the religious order of the Mother of Rosary.

This incident reawakened memories of the tragedy that occurred in January 2000 when three Drainage Department workers, who were not wearing protective masks, died after they inhaled toxic fumes while carrying out repair work on a valve in a pumping station at Ċirkewwa.