MUNCIE, Ind. --
An off-duty plumber was killed and three other people, including two firefighters, were injured when they climbed into a well east of Muncie to try to rescue the first victim, fire officials said.
The plumber, Eric Dalton, 40, of Anderson, was in the 10-foot dry well pit outside a home in the 5000 block of East Centennial Avenue when he was overcome by fumes from muriatic acid.
Dalton was found unconscious in the well at about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. A man who was helping Dalton -- Justin Benson, 19 -- also went into the well and was overcome by fumes, rendered unconscious, officials said.
Two firefighters from the Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department -- Brian Buck and Rick Compton Sr. -- attempted to rescue Dalton and Benson, but the fumes were too strong for them.
"I got down there and said, 'I'm stepping on somebody else,'" Compton said from his hospital bed on Thursday. "There's two down there."
When Compton realized acid was involved, he tried to climb out, but couldn't escape the fumes. Neither could Buck.
One of the firefighters had left his radio outside on the ground, allowing someone else to pick it up and call for help, telling authorities that four people were inside the well.
Muncie fire Sgt. Mike Whited was one of the rescuers.
"It was an eerie sight seeing that many people piled on top of each other," Whited said.
A Liberty Township firefighter who was wearing an air pack climbed into the well as other firefighters assisted from above using a rope.
"We had three guys on the rope over the opening pulling them straight up out of the well," Whited said.
Dalton was pronounced dead. Buck, Benson and Compton were all taken to Ball Memorial Hospital, where Buck and Benson were listed in critical condition on Thursday.
Compton, who was listed in fair condition, said he owes his life to his fellow firefighters.
"They did a great job. I'm here," he said.
No one was living at the home, but family members had been taking care of property, and Dalton was helping out to get the well running.
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