SAGINAW, TEXAS (07/17/2015) — One worker was killed and two others were hospitalized following a pressurized tank explosion at Troxell Trailer Manufacturing on Friday.
According to reports, three male workers at Troxell Trailer Manufacturing (located in the 1000 block of Burlington Road) were rushed to Harris Methodist Hospital Friday morning following an industrial accident in one of several metal buildings at the location.
According to investigators, 34-year-old Jose Gayton, of Fort Worth, was working inside a large unpressurized tank when a nearby tank exploded at about 8:00 a.m.
Gayton was transported to the hospital in critical condition, but succumbed to his injuries at 9:06 a.m. A second victim was taken to the hospital in serious condition, and a third was transported with minor injuries.
Commentary
My thoughts are with the families of those affected by this tragic accident, and I certainly hope that a full investigation is performed to determine exactly what could have caused such an event. The catastrophic failure of a large pressurized tank is something that should never happen in this day and age and I can only speculate as to what factors could have been at play here. Was the tank defective? Was it properly maintained and inspected? Were there no safety mechanisms in place to prevent such a rupture?