WICHITA, Kansas – An accident at a local asphalt plant has left five people with burns – several of them were seriously injured.
The accident happened around 2 o’clock Tuesday and five workers were taken to thehospital. It happened at Shilling Asphalt 119th St. near the Turnpike south of Wichita.
Investigators are still trying to determine exactly how it happened, but five people were burned with hot tar and oil as they were working this afternoon.
Officials say they were at a temporary facility near the Turnpike, preparing the asphalt to be taken elsewhere. Somehow, in processing, the tar and oil spilled on several people. Two workers were taken by helicopter to the hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries. Three others were also burned, but their injuries are not considered as serious.
Another employee described what he saw.
“Employee came running towards me with hot oil on his face and arm and we cooled him down, with an ice cooler, chest of water,” said Tom Peterson, who witnessed it.
“We have contacted OSHA, because this is a work-related incident, and OSHA is on its way here,” said Div. Chief Walter Rooney with the Sedgwick County Fire Department.
It will be up to OSHA to determine if the company was following all proper regulations at the time of the accident.
At last check, two workers have been released from the hospital and two remain with serious injuries.
