Oklahoma oil rig collapse killed worker; injured another

2009-12-29 04:28:08 (GMT) (JusticeNewsFlash.com - Employment Law, Justice News Flash)

Legal news for Oklahoma employment attorneys. A oil rig collapsed for unknown reasons, which killed one worker.

Employment lawyers alerts- An oil rig collapse in Oklahoma left one man dead and another injured.

Major County, OK– An oil rig collapsed for unknown reasons on Saturday, December 26, 2009, which left one worker dead and another with a broken leg and other injuries. The rig collapsed around 6:00 a.m. just east of Ames, as reported by Enid News and Eagle.

Major County Sheriffs Office reported the workers had reached the total depth on the drilling rig when it lost circulation. About 25 minutes after the workers were instructed to extract the pipe from the hole, the rig suddenly collapsed. A Kansas man, Gabriel Ovalle Tellez, 31, of Liberal, Kansas, was tragically killed when the rig fell. Tellez was pronounced dead at the scene by responding medical professionals. David Gonzales, of Hugoton, Kansas, another oil rig worker, sustained a broken leg among other injuries. Gonzales was rushed by an emergency medical services (EMS) ambulance to Integris Bass Baptist Health Center for treatment. Gonzales is reportedly listed in good condition at this time. Police officials believe the oil rig collapse was an accident. The Oklahoma Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) are investigating the deadly collapse, and what may have caused the tragic accident. The Ames Fire Department and the Major County Ambulance also responded to the scene.

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for Oklahoma employment lawyers.