Father of two killed by falling wrench while cleaning underground water tank in Queens

A devoted begetter of 2 was killed successful a freak mishap erstwhile a wrench fell 120 feet into a manhole and struck the victim’s caput arsenic helium worked underground Monday, constabulary and household said.

Paulo Couto, 54, was cleaning a h2o vessel successful Long Island City erstwhile the hose recoiled, knocking the wrench from a tripod, cops said.

“Something anserine happened,” said Couto’s brother-in-law Fernando Duarte, 59. “From what we cognize is helium was successful Queens moving successful a manhole, and immoderate benignant of instrumentality fell from the apical — it was 120-foot-deep spread — deed him successful the caput and that was it. That’s what we know. That’s each I know.”

The mishap occurred astatine 10:25 a.m. successful the vicinity of 31st St., 40th Ave. and Northern Blvd., and Couto died astatine the scene, constabulary said.

Paul Couto. (Facebook)

“He was a large guy, good-hearted guy, 2 kids, household man, hard-working person. It was a tragic accident. It was unexpected,” said Duarte, adding that the victim’s sons are successful their 20s.

Born successful Lisbon, Portugal, Couto arrived successful the United States arsenic a child, said his brother-in-law. He yet settled successful Howell, NJ, with his family.

“He was the benignant of feline that astatine enactment helium was … helium was ever disquieted astir work,” Duarte said. “Get the job, get the occupation done, get the occupation done.”

“His occupation was it wasn’t hazardous but helium worked with large machines, truthful it’s ever a small unsafe there.”

Couto was an worker of New Jersey-based National Water Main Cleaning for much than 20 years, Duarte said. A institution typical declined to remark erstwhile reached by phone.

Couto was remembered successful respective societal media posts arsenic “the champion of the best” and a antheral who was generous with his nonrecreational knowledge.

“Thank you for everything you taught me,” posted Bruno Rocha. “Thank you for ever always making definite I was comfy with what I was doing astatine enactment and making definite I knew you wherever [sic] ever determination for proposal and assistance you volition beryllium missed.”

Duarte said his sister, Couto’s wife, was heartbroken.

“[She is] 55 years old. Paul is [54] years old,” helium said. “It’s precise unexpected.”