Woman drowns after getting trapped in Ill. manhole

[August 23, 2010]  SPRINGFIELD (AP) -- A 23-year-old woman has drowned after getting trapped in an uncovered manhole during heavy rain in Illinois.

Springfield police say the woman and a man were riding in a car Friday night and got stuck in a flooded viaduct.

Both got out of the car to start pushing, and the woman slipped into a manhole and underwater.

She was submerged for about four minutes before the man and a police officer were able to free her.

Police Lt. Jim Henry says the woman died at the scene. Her name has not been released.

Authorities say up to 1.4 inches of rain fell on parts of Springfield in less than two hours Friday.

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Information from: The State Journal-Register, http://www.sj-r.com/

[Associated Press]

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