Abraham Fortuin died inside a tank similiar to a JoJo tank. Photo: Makro

A worker at a bottling factory in Malmesbury who witnessed his friend’s death on Saturday morning is receiving trauma counselling. The man was with Abraham Fortuin (44) in the bottling factory in the town’s industrial area when he was overcome by gases inside a tank.

According to a spokesperson for Malmesbury police Constable Hennie du Randt, Fortuin died while he was trying to retrieve a bucket from a plastic tank “which is similiar to a JoJo tank. The tank had no wine in except for dregs; it is thought that Fortuin was overcome by gases released by the dregs.” Fortuin collapsed onto his stomach on the bottom of the tank.

Constable Du Randt says an investigation is underway to see if Fortuin’s death could have been prevented. Fortuin lived with his mother and sister and was the breadwinner of the family.