An explosion took place in Gatesville, Texas on Tuesday which killed one and critically injured fifteen construction workers. The building, under construction at the time of the incident, was located at the rear of the Coryell Memorial Heathcare System Hospital. The new building was intended to house the hospital’s physical plant.
While authorities haven’t officially announced the names of the Gatesville hospital explosion victims, families and friends have come forward with the following information:
- Michael Bruggman, a 43-year-old from Rogers, Texas was tragically killed during the explosion.
- Aaron Haveron, a pastor of the United Pentecostal Church in Marlin, Texas, is in critical condition at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas.
- Vernon Barabas of Waco, Texas, and his 23-year-old son, Justin Barabas, of China Spring, Texas were injured in the explosion.
- Wilber Dimas of Waco, Texas is currently in ICU and, according to sources, has suffered burns to over 70 percent of his body.
- Matt Aaron of Oglesby, Texas, and Antoni Reyes of Waco, Texas were injured in the explosion.
A construction worker who was installing an air conditioning unit on top of the building at the time of the explosion was killed. Fifteen other construction workers have been seriously injured, some suffering severe burns to most of their bodies.
Witnesses say the explosion came from a generator that was used to power the workers’ construction tools. Officials believe the high-power natural gas line which feeds the plant may have been the cause of the explosion, but they have not yet been able to investigate due to the building’s damage. The Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office is leading the investigation.
All 16 construction workers were employees of Lochridge-Priest, a 50-year-old company from Waco, Texas with approximately 400 employees. Adolfson & Peterson Construction, the general contractors for the project, came forward Wednesday with the following statement:
“Our team is deeply saddened by this tragedy and we are working closely with our partners at Coryell Memorial and Lochridge-Priest to provide support during this time. Our sincere condolences, thoughts, and prayers are with the families and friends of those injured and lost.”
GATESVILLE HOSPITAL EXPLOSION LAWYERS
If you or someone you love was injured or killed during the Gatesville hospital explosion, please contact the personal injury attorneys at The Potts Law Firm. We have the resources and knowledge to evaluate your personal injury claim, both legally and medically, with our highly accredited on-staff personal injury lawyers, medical directors, and physicians. Please contact us for a free consultation to discuss your case. We will give you all the time your case deserves, and we will give you an honest assessment of your case.