An explosion at a Texas hospital on Tuesday tragically killed a construction worker and injured 15 others.
Hospital was in Midst of Expansion Project
The explosion shook the Coryell Memorial Hospital, located at 1507 West Main St, in Gatesville, roughly 40 minutes from Waco, shortly before 2:30 p.m. on June 26th.
The blast sent black smoke billowing into the air, caused the partial collapse of the hospital, and knocked out power in other parts of town.
“I was on Levita Road picking up my dogs when I heard this loud noise, and by the time I got up to Memorial Drive, there were all kinds of police and fire trucks headed that way,” one witness told KWTX. “There’s a lot of smoke.”
Initial reports indicate that the explosion occurred in the rear of the hospital, which was undergoing an expansion project at the time. Investigators are said to be focusing on a boiler room that was under construction.
45-Year-Old Construction Worker from Rogers Died at Scene
Michael Bruggman, 43, a construction worker from Rogers, Texas, died at the scene.
15 other construction workers were injured.
Two of the most seriously injured victims were taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas.
Nine others were transferred to Scott & White Medical Center in Temple, including a critically injured worker who was immediately taken into surgery.
Four others were taken to Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Medical Center in Waco with less serious injuries.
Explosion Forces Evacuation at Coryell Memorial, Two Nearby Nursing Facilities
All 12 patients who had been admitted to the 25-bed Coryell Memorial Hospital at the time of the explosion escaped injury, as did the staff.
The patients were evacuated and have since been admitted to other facilities, including Goodall Witcher Hospital in Clifton.
Power was knocked out in the west side of Gatesville, forcing the evacuation of two nursing facilities – Oaks at Coryell and the Meadows – near the hospital.
It will likely be weeks, and perhaps even months, before Coryell Memorial Hospital is able to reopen.
Hospital Explosion May Have Involved Natural Gas Line
It’s not yet known what caused yesterday’s explosion.
One witness told KWTX that a generator had exploded. Officials have indicated that a natural gas line may have been involved.
The Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office is leading the investigation into the blast.
The U.S. Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has also sent personnel to the scene to determine if any workplace safety violations caused or contributed to the explosion.
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