Photo from WVLT (www.volunteertv.com)GATLINBURG, Tenn. (AP) - The bodies of two sewage treatment plant workers have been recovered at the site where a plant wall collapsed in Gatlinburg.
The holding tank wall at the plant in a Smoky Mountains tourist town collapsed early Tuesday and crews searched throughout the day before finding the two bodies under rubble at the plant near the Little Pigeon River.
Gatlinburg's fire chief identified the victims as 53-year-old John Eslinger and 44-year-old Don Storey, both of the Sevierville area.
Gatlinburg's utilities director said the plant should be repaired soon but he could not say when.
A Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation spokeswoman said that for now, wastewater is being discharged directly into the river.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
