Yesterday, a Welland man reported to police that his wallet and other personal items were stolen and that he had located some of his belongings in a near-by storm sewer.

After learning that the retrieval of the items was not immediately possible, the officer on the scene left the area to continue the investigation and advised the man of the dangers associated with retrieving the items from the sewer.

The officer returned to the area to find the sewer cover was off. The man was wedged securely inside, head first but still conscious. He was rescued and transported to the Welland County Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The cause of death is not known, and an autopsy is scheduled. Foul play is not suspected.

The man has been identified as Lionel Desjardins, 57, of Welland.