An explosion at the Kerr Dam near Locust Grove occurred around 6pm Thursday
The workers were doing core-sample drilling as part of routine maintenance
The workers likely encountered methane gas when the explosion occurred
Attempts for rescuers to reach the trapped workers were unsuccessful
Their bodies were recovered from the shaft around 4:30am on Friday
A third worker escaped after the explosion and was taken to the hospital
Two killed in explosion at dam in northeastern Oklahoma
May 14, 2021
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LOCUST GROVE, Okla. (AP) Two men were killed and a third person was injured in an explosion in a northeastern Oklahoma dam where they were doing maintenance work, officials said.
Grand River Dam Authority spokesperson Justin Alberty said Kerr Dam, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) east of Tulsa, was not damaged in the explosion about 6 p.m. Thursday,
The men were contractors, GRDA Vice President John Wiscaver said, and the cause of the blast is under investigation. He said their bodies were recovered early Friday. Names weren t immediately released.
The explosion occurred as the workers were doing core-sample drilling as part of a normal safety maintenance program, Alberty said. The injured worker was taken to a hospital in undisclosed condition.
Kerr Dam explosion in Oklahoma leaves two workers dead after they were trapped 80ft deep in rubble
Updated: May 14 2021, 10:40 ET
TWO men were killed and a third person was injured in an explosion in a northeastern Oklahoma dam where they were doing maintenance work.
Grand River Dam Authority spokesperson Justin Alberty said Kerr Dam, about 45 miles east of Tulsa, was not damaged in the explosion at about 6pm on Thursday.
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Another person was injuredCredit: News on 6
The men were contractors, GRDA Vice President John Wiscaver said, and the cause of the blast is under investigation.
He said their bodies were recovered early on Friday. Names weren’t immediately released.