“This morning, Gennaro Montello, a Sewage Treatment Worker with the Department of Environmental Protection, died from injuries sustained in an accident at the Owl’s Head Waste Water Treatment Plant in Bay Ridge.  The steel supports of a temporary conveyor belt collapsed and fell on top of Mr. Montello and he was immediately transferred to Lutheran Hospital in Sunset Park. Unfortunately, despite doctors’ efforts, Mr. Montello died shortly before noon today.

“Mr. Montello, known as Gerry by friends and colleagues, was 45 years old and worked for the Department of Environmental Protection since 2001.  He grew up in Brooklyn in Carroll Gardens and he and his wife Donna were raising their children, Gennaro and Brianna, in Bay Ridge.

“A second worker, Joseph DiGiovanni, was injured while trying to save Mr. Montello.  He was a part of a group of employees that courageously tried to free Mr. Montello. He sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment at Lutheran Hospital. Fortunately, he is in stable condition.

“We typically only think of uniformed officers putting themselves on the line to serve the public.  Today’s accident is a tragic reminder of how many others serve our City in challenging environments and how our City could not run without them.  Mr. Montello was one of those unsung workers and we owe him, and his family, an unpayable debt of gratitude.

“I spoke with Donna Montello earlier today and my prayers and deep condolences go out to the entire Montello family during this time of extreme bereavement.”