BELLWOOD, Ill. - Police in the western Chicago suburb of Bellwood are investigating the death of a 49-year-old man who died Saturday after apparently falling into a sewer in his backyard.

Bellwood Police Chief Richard Blass says it appears that Danny Howard was cleaning the sewer when he fell in headfirst. Blass says the sewer is not operated by the city.

He says the incident is under investigation and appears to be an accident.