Man, don't know how many times I've seen some worker die over some product or tool.
It's not certain, but it definitely appears he had a good chance at saving himself. But he didn't want to let go of that hammer until he was elbows deep.
its amazing how much vacuum is in those pipes.. And if there was any type of vacuum purging process in place.. maybe drilled a several pilot holes to release some pressure... Obviously not here
The last time I seen a pipe sucking that hard it had Hunter Biden on the end of it!