Middletown Sewerage Authority Employee Dies After Workplace Fall

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — An employee with the Middletown Sewerage Authority died Tuesday afternoon in what is being investigated as a workplace accident.

The employee who died has been identified as John Molnar, said Middletown Mayor Tony Perry, who called the incident "very sad."

Middletown Police and firefighters responded to the Middletown Sewerage Authority Treatment Facility Tuesday afternoon for a worker who was found at the bottom of a hole, Perry said, but that's all he would say on the matter. He said Molnar's death is now currently under investigation by Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH).

PEOSH is the New Jersey state agency that investigates when there is an accident, mishap or death on a public job.

Perry said he could not comment on how deep the hole was and whether Molnar was alive or conscious when he was found. Fellow workers said there was an odor of methane gas present when he was found, Tap Into Middletown reported.

This happened at about 2:20 p.m. Tuesday, the Asbury Park Press reported.

Molnar, 47, lived in Hazlet, said Brian Rischman, executive director of the Middletown Sewerage Authority. Molnar first worked for many years for Middletown Township and then went to work for the Sewerage Authority, said Perry.

Rischman called Molnar one of the sewage treatment plant's "most valuable employees" and said it extends its deepest condolences to Molnar's family, plus his co-workers at the plant.

"The Authority is working diligently and cooperating with all investigative agencies to determine the cause of this workplace-related incident," he said in a statement.

Middletown's sewage treatment plant is located at 100 Beverly Way in Belford.

The Monmouth County Prosecutor was also notified immediately after the death, said the mayor.

A spokesman for the all-volunteer Middletown Fire Department declined to comment, saying Molnar's death is being investigated by Middletown Police.

“We were all saddened to hear about John’s passing in this tragic incident,” said Perry in a statement released to the media. “John and his family have deep roots in the Middletown community, so we’re all feeling the loss. On behalf of the Township of Middletown, I offer my deepest condolences to his loved ones.”