Alberty said they will have to get to the men through a different galley, but they do not believe the men are in any immediate danger. Rescue crews and swift water rescue teams responded. MAYES COUNTY, Okla. The Grand River Dam Authority confirms two people were killed after an explosion at the Robert S. Kerr Reservoir Dam in Mayes County. contact this location, Window Classics-Sarasota Tampa, FL33634 contact this location, Window Classics-Tampa Facilities at the lake include boat ramps, picnic areas, RV and tent campsites, swimming beaches, hiking trails and concession stands. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The explosion occurred at about 6 p.m. Thursday in an 80-foot-deep inside inspection shaft the place staff from DA Smith Drilling, based mostly out of Colorado, had been performing ongoing "It just means that we can't help as many animals." The blast, at Kerr Dam near Salina, happened as the contactors were doing routine core drilling about 80ft down, according to Justin Alberty, a spokesman for GRDA. The victims identities are pending release by the DA Smith Drilling company and are not currently available, according to the GRDA. Observation decks at the lake's visitors center allow guests to view barges and private watercraft as they pass through the lock system on the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System.[3]. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. We'll continue to update as we learn more. TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) - Two workers died after being trapped about 80 feet down in a shaft at a dam in Oklahoma. The three workers were subcontracted to scour the Kerr Dam. The other two were stuck about 80 feet down. The man that was able to get out is getting checked at a local hospital. 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Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. The reservoir is impounded by Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam at river mile 336.2 (km 541.1) on the Arkansas River, just a few miles below its confluence with the Canadian River. WebIt is about eight miles south of the nearest major town, Sallisaw, Oklahoma. Two workers were killed in an Oklahoma dam explosion Thursday night, a dam agency official said. GRDA confirmed there are no structural issues with the dam and they will not be releasing any water. The explosion occurred as the workers were doing core-sample drilling as part of a normal safety maintenance program, Alberty said. Copyright 2021 KTUL via CNN Newsource. GRDA's internal engineers and other staff are the ones conducting this investigation. A team of contractors was conducting routine core drilling about 80 feet from the top of the The contractors became trapped Thursday night at Kerr Dam when they hit a methane gas pocket while drilling, which caused an explosion. The Army Corps of Engineers also manages over 10,000 acres (40km2) surrounding the lake for public hunting. An explosion at the Kerr dam on Thursday night killed two workers who became trapped 80 feet below the top of the dam. At approximately 4:30am this morning, Friday, May 14, recovery crews were able to recover the bodies of two men who had been trapped inside Kerr Dam since an explosion occurred at approximately 6 PM Thursday. Following an hours-long effort, two men who were trapped following an explosion at Kerr Dam have died, a GRDA spokesman said Friday morning. There was also a third worker involved, but he was able to make it out safely with minor injuries. Gray Media Group, Inc., contributed to this report. Low 44F. "As far as another explosion or structural problems, we don't feel that there are. One man was able to get out, but two others remained trapped. Authorities said the contract workers from out of state were conducting core-sample drilling as part of routine maintenance on the dam. WebVDOMDHTMLtml PUBLIC "-//IETF//DTD HTML 2.0//EN">. Two contract workers found dead after explosion at Kerr Dam in Mayes County, Breaking update now to the Kerr Dam explosion rescue to workers who were trapped have died. [1] The project was completed in 1970 at a cost of $94.566million ($501million in 2007 dollars). The reservoir is impounded by Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam at river mile 336.2 (km 541.1) on the Arkansas U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The lake and surrounds are popular destinations for boating, fishing and hunting. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. First responders were able to get one worker out of the shaft. Copyright 2021 KTUL via CNN Newsource. The Grand River Dam Authority oversees the Robert S. Kerr Dam and according to the company it was never under OSHA investigation following an explosion MAYES COUNTY, Oklahoma - Grand River Dam Authority officials have confirmed that two workers, who were trapped by debris after an explosion at the Kerr The Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) said the explosion happened just before 6 p.m. TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) - Two workers died after being trapped about 80 feet down in a shaft at a dam in Oklahoma. Hospital agrees to pay $1.1 million in Medicaid fraud settlement connected to Dr. Hyatt, ARDOT announces plans to expand Hwy 112 in Fayetteville, Sunny next few days before late week storms, Storm warning fatigue | Alerting Arkansas, Reports: Oklahoma woman shocked by lightning through laptop, Federal bill to address criminal jurisdiction in Oklahoma. The ventilation setup, plus far proximity from the recovery point, is why Wilson said, it took several hours to ensure it was safe enough to go in and recover the bodies. Lindsay Johnson and her husband struggled for years to conceive their first Read MoreJenks mother starts nonprofit in honor of daughter who died from SIDS, Tulsa police say the victim was sexually assaulted while shopping inside a Walmart with her child. contact this location. Tulsa, OK (74129) Today. WE KNOW ONE OF THE MEN WAS RESCUE. 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. GRDA spokesperson Justin Alberty says a third contractor escaped and that the dam was not damaged by the explosion about 6 p.m. Thursday. TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) - Two workers died after being trapped about 80 feet down in a shaft at a dam in Oklahoma. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The two killed were 90 feet deep in an inspection tunnel during the explosion. The mother of a missing 14-year-old girl in Okmulgee County says police just informed her seven bodies have been found on a property near Henryetta. Rescue crews were able to recover the bodies of the two men at about 4:30 a.m. Friday from the inspection shaft. TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) - Two workers died after being trapped about 80 feet down in a shaft at a dam in Oklahoma. The other two were stuck about 80 feet down. Read MoreFormer Muskogee councilman battles Union Pacific Railroads over property neglect, "Even if the amount of money that someone stole from us isn't huge, the cost of repairing everything is enormous for us," said Brown. Officials say the integrity of the dams structure has not been compromised. BREAKING: Suspect in critical condition following officer-involved shooting in west Lincoln. This is a developing story. Great Jones Cookware Review: Is It Worth Buying? TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) - Two workers died after being trapped about 80 feet down in a shaft at a dam in Oklahoma. TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) - Two workers died after being trapped about 80 feet down in a shaft at a dam in Oklahoma. In 2002, the I-40 bridge disaster occurred when a barge hit a bridge that carried Interstate 40 over the reservoir. 301 Moved Permanently. 2781 Vista Pkwy N Ste K-8 The other two were stuck about 80 feet down. That's according to our sister station, the contractors were doing routine core drilling thursday afternoon. contact this location, Window Classics-Pembroke Park Explosion at dam kills 2 workers in Okla. Bear spotted by Home Depot in Madison, officials say, Biden hosts Eid al-Fitr reception at White House, At least 6 people dead in Illinois highway windstorm, Former US Marine killed in Ukraine, family says. "They were requesting the hazmat truck," Claremore Deputy Fire Chief Matt Wilson said. At the end of the day, we accomplished what we were trying to do," said Terry Sivadon, rescue coordinator for the Tulsa Fire Department. The recovery mission for their bodies was hazardous for rescue crews. Townsend, Jay. The dam holds back Lake Two workers have died and a third has been injured after an explosion at a reservoir dam in Oklahoma. Contractors were doing routine work testing the bedrock underneath the dam when the explosion took place. Names werent immediately released. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Kerr Dam Grand River Dam 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. River Navigation System." The Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) said the explosion happened just before 6 p.m. Thursday. The GRDA is Oklahomas largest public power utility, according to its website. Another injured worker was taken to a hospital in undisclosed condition. Following an hours-long effort, two men who were trapped following an explosion at Kerr The GRDA in Tulsa is investigating an explosion at the Kerr Dam and still trying to figure out exactly what led up to it; natural gas may have been a factor. Sivadon told 2 News his team was called to assist first responders at Kerr Dam around 6 p.m. Thursday night. An investigation on the incident is now underway. GRDA acquired the three subcontracted workers through the Oklahoma State School of Geology. He refused medical treatment. Monitor readings showed the flammable gas lingered around the entry point to recover the two bodies. TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) - Two workers died after being trapped about 80 feet down in a shaft at a dam in Oklahoma. Authorities said the contract workers from out of state were conducting core-sample drilling as part of routine maintenance on the dam. Rescue crews and According to the Grand River Dam Authority, an explosion was reported in an 80-foot-deep interior inspection shaft where three workers with Colorado-based DA Smith Drilling were performing ongoing maintenance. Read MoreTwo missing girls suspected to be with convicted rapist, A Jenks mother is working to make sure other families don't have to endure the type of tragedy her family suffered. Robert S. Kerr Reservoir is located within the Cookson Hills, on the Arkansas River in Sequoyah, Le Flore, Haskell, and Muskogee counties in eastern Oklahoma, US. The Kerr dam creates Lake Hudson, a 12,000-acre lake with 200 miles of shoreline, GRDA said. Both men were contractors. November 10, 2016. The dam is located on the south end of Lake Hudson in Mayes County, which is southwest of Salina. Both men are deceased. "Once we found out that it was going to be a body recovery, we slowed down and monitored the methane gas and started the ventilation process," he said. Low 44F. The explosion occurred at about 6 p.m. Thursday in an 80-foot-deep interior inspection shaft where workers from DA Smith Drilling, based out of Colorado, were 2401 SW 32nd Ave A spokesperson with the GRDA said the explosion happened when three contractors were conducting routine core sampling checks in a shaft. They were reportedly 80 feet down from the top of the dam, and were in an inspection gallery when the blast happened. TWO men were killed and a third person was injured in an explosion in a northeastern Oklahoma dam where they were doing maintenance work. 4925 SW 74th Ct All rights reserved. Wilson said if those numbers are not near zero percent, there is risk for another explosion when crews move in for recovery. Rescue crews were able to recover the bodies of the two men at about 4:30 a.m. Friday from the inspection shaft.A full investigation is underway, but the preliminary results show the explosion was caused by a pocket of naturally occurring gasses, which is not uncommon in geological formations, GRDA officials said.Officials confirmed that Kerr Dam is stable and at no risk of additional damages.The victims identities are pending release by the DA Smith Drilling company and are not currently available, according to the GRDA. Two workers were trapped, and a third worker was taken to a local hospital for evaluation of non-life-threatening injuries, officials said. McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. Bonita Springs, FL34135 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. SHELBY: A BREAKING UPDATE TO THE DAM EXPLOSION RESCUE. First responders were able to get one worker out of the shaft. The lock, dam, and reservoir are named after Robert S. Kerr, former governor of Oklahoma and U.S. senator from Oklahoma, who died in 1963. Stitt removed from the Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission, Robert De Niro suffers leg injury, won't impact Killers Of The Flower Moon filming. While the three were drilling in the Kerr Dam, they found natural gas. A full investigation into the incident is underway, Wiscaver said. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Clear skies. Police arrested Carlton Gilford after they said heshot and killed two menon April 1 Read MoreProsecutors say random killings of 2 men in north Tulsa were likely racially motivated, Animal shelters across the country are working to get adoptable pets in overcrowded shelters new homes. Read MoreEmergency alert issued for 2 missing girls in Oklahoma, More than 500 PSO customers are without power in midtown Tulsa Monday morning. Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere --, Hazardous recovery mission at dam explosion. The lock and dam were constructed by the Corps of Engineers. Prior to starting construction in 1963, the project was identified as Short Mountain Lock and Dam, but was renamed in honor of the late Oklahoma Senator, who had spent much of his political career pushing for the Arkansas River to be made navigable. Low 46F. Read MorePower restored after car hit power poles in midtown Tulsa, Thousands of wheelchair athletes and runners participated in the2023 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. Investigators with the Grand River Dam Authority reported a pocket of natural gas passed through while the three contractors were core drilling. 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. Since the crews were 80 feet above the contractors, Wilson said, they were forced to use an exhaust pipe at the entry point to shoot the flammable gas 20 feet up, and fasten a monitor to a rope to lower the rest of the way to get accurate readings. Clear skies. MAYES COUNTY, Okla. . Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, CDC eases indoor mask requirements for fully vaccinated Americans, DOWNLOAD the 2 Works for You app for alerts, OKDHS calls Oklahomans to support foster care. Tucker and Hughes were working for DA Smith Drilling Co. when the explosion occurred about 80 feet (24 meters) down a shaft at the Robert S. Kerr Dam in northeastern Oklahoma, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) east of Tulsa. All three were from a company called DA Smith Drilling out of Colorado. All rights reserved. Read More7 bodies found near Henryetta, For nearly thirty years, the Broken Arrow community has celebrated its annualRooster Egg Hunt. Read MoreBroken Arrow community participates in annual Rooster Egg Hunt, A former City of Muskogee councilman has been having issues with land owned by the Union Pacific Railroad for years. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of KOCO-TV. Stay with 5NEWS for updates on this developing story. It is about eight miles south of the nearest major town, Sallisaw, Oklahoma. MAYES COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) The Grand River Dam Authority confirmed that two contract staff died in an explosion on the Robert S. Kerr Dam. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. The men were contractors, GRDA Vice President John Wiscaver said, and the cause of the blast is under investigation. "Safety is paramount at GRDA whether its our employees or people working on our behalf. The two people are reported to be trapped 80 feet down. 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 The contractors became trapped Thursday night at Kerr Dam when they hit a methane gas pocket while drilling, which caused an explosion. Copyright 2021 KTUL via CNN Newsource. and last updated 5:16 PM, May 14, 2021 MAYES COUNTY, Okla. An investigation is launched over last night's deadly explosion at the Kerr Dam which GRDA Two workers were killed by an explosion at the Kerr Dam in Oklahoma. "We were trying to make sure that the air was evacuated in the confined space before anybody else went back down," Wilson said. Officials say the integrity of the dams structure has not been compromised. According to the Grand River Dam Authority, an explosion was reported in an 80-foot-deep interior inspection shaft where three workers with Colorado-based DA Smith Drilling were performing ongoing maintenance. He added that there may have been a pocket of natural methane gas, but did not want to determine the cause of the explosion. No GRDA employees were involved in the incident. There was enough of it for them to launch a special safety protocol that requires workers to cap the leak with concrete. The GRDA operates dams in northeastern Oklahoma to generate electricity for customers that include cities in Kansas and Oklahoma. Wilson told 2 News it was methane. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. 24850 Old 41 Ste 7 No GRDA employees were involved in the incident. Sarasota, FL34231 The recovery mission for their bodies OKLAHOMA, USA An explosion that took place at Kerr Dam Thursday (May 13), left two workers trapped inside the damn according to KOTV. At 6:00 p.m. GRDA reported an explosion caused by a pocket of naturally forming gas. We feel that the scene is stable. An explosion at a northeastern Oklahoma dam Thursday evening killed two maintenance workers and left a third injured, officials announced. At approximately 4:30 a.m. this morning, Friday, May 14th, recovery crews were able to recover the bodies of two men who had been trapped inside Kerr Dam since an explosion occurred at approximately 6 p.m. Thursday, said John Wiscaver, executive vice president of GRDA said in a statement. Read MoreOwasso woman conquers more than miles at OKC Memorial Marathon. West Palm Beach, FL33411 When they arrived, Sivadon said, they quickly discovered it had become a recovery operation. Pace Setter Live. The bodies were recovered Friday morning according to John Wiscaver, executive vice president of the Grand River Dam Authority. You have permission to edit this article. He refused medical treatment. WebThe Grand River Dam Authority confirmed Friday that the Kerr Dam, seen here Friday, is stable after an explosion that killed two workers Thursday. TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) - Two workers died after being trapped about 80 feet down in a shaft at a dam in Oklahoma. He said their bodies were recovered early on Friday. "The exact it did to the guys that were in there," he said. A third employee with DA Smith Drilling was working higher in the shaft and sustained minor injuries. That's what they were in the middle of doing when the explosion happened. Pembroke Park, FL33023 He refused medical treatment. Authorities said the contract workers from out of state were conducting core-sample drilling as part of routine maintenance on the dam. 5404 Hoover Blvd Ste 14 According to KOTV, the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) officials have confirmed both workers were killed. Window Classics-Bonita Springs We take the safety aspect of what we do very seriously," said John Wiscaver, Executive Vice President of GRDA. The GRDA said one person was able to get out of the area after the explosion and refused treatment. MAYES COUNTY, Okla. ( KFOR) Emergency personnel are working to rescue two people who are trapped following an explosion at Kerr Dam near Locust Grove, Okla. Officials said two people became trapped amid the explosion, but one person safely escaped, according to KJRH in Tulsa. A clear sky. The bodies of the two contractors were recovered early this morning. Explosion at dam kills 2 workers in Okla. Nebraska Department of Transportation announces ramp closures at US-77, Van Dorn Interchange, Biden hosts Eid al-Fitr reception at White House, At least 6 people dead in Illinois highway windstorm. Read MoreTPD: Woman sexually assaulted while shopping with her child, Tulsa County prosecutors say the random killings of two men in north Tulsa were likely racially motivated. About 10-and-a-half hours later rescuers OKLAHOMA, USA An explosion that took place at Kerr Dam Thursday (May 13), left two workers trapped inside the damn according to KOTV. Officials confirmed that Kerr Dam is stable and at no risk of additional damages. Officials released more details Friday in the deaths of two contract workers, who were found dead after an explosion at Kerr Dam in Mayes County, in northeastern Oklahoma. Currently, GRDA is working to notify family members of the two workers who were trapped and killed. When the explosion happened, we know one of the men was rescued. Explosion at dam kills 2 workers in Okla. OSBI assisting Bryan County in homicide investigation, 3 teens sent to hospitals after Atoka County crash, Woman arrested accused of attacking co-worker in Paris, Biden hosts Eid al-Fitr reception at White House, At least 6 people dead in Illinois highway windstorm, Former US Marine killed in Ukraine, family says. Officials released more details Friday in the deaths of two contract workers, who were found dead after an explosion at Kerr Dam in Mayes County, in northeastern Oklahoma. Two workers are dead following an explosion at an Oklahoma dam, according to officials. Gray Media Group, Inc., contributed to this report. Officials say the integrity of the dams structure has not been compromised. The blast trapped the men below. "Were going to continue that investigation, which is ongoing as we speak to determine all aspects of why the event occurred.. May 15, 2021 Investigators suspect trapped gas might have sparked the Thursday night explosion that killed two men as they inspected the Kerr Dam in northeast Oklahoma. Two workers were trapped, and a third worker was taken to a local hospital for evaluation of non-life-threatening injuries, officials said. Example video title will go here for this video. A full investigation is underway, but the preliminary results show the explosion was caused by a pocket of naturally occurring gasses, which is not uncommon in geological formations, GRDA officials said. The cause of the explosion is still unknown and being investigated. Dollar worth calculator at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers: Robert S. Kerr Reservoir, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers: Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam Reservoir, "Oklahoma Water Resources Board: Robert S. Kerr Reservoir", Robert S. Kerr Reservoir information on TravelOK.com, Oklahoma Digital Maps: Digital Collections of Oklahoma and Indian Territory, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Robert_S._Kerr_Reservoir&oldid=1089739355, Bodies of water of Haskell County, Oklahoma, Bodies of water of Le Flore County, Oklahoma, Bodies of water of Muskogee County, Oklahoma, Bodies of water of Sequoyah County, Oklahoma, Protected areas of Sequoyah County, Oklahoma, Protected areas of Haskell County, Oklahoma, Protected areas of Le Flore County, Oklahoma, Protected areas of Muskogee County, Oklahoma, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox body of water with auto short description, Articles using infobox body of water without alt, Articles using infobox body of water without image bathymetry, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 25 May 2022, at 11:22. Gray Media Group, Inc., contributed to this report. In order to get rid of all the hazardous gas, Wilson said they used a fan to pump fresh air into the close-quartered cabin and set up an exhaust on the other end to shoot that gas out. MAYES COUNTY, Okla. An investigation is launched over last night's deadly explosion at the Kerr Dam which GRDA says could take several weeks. According to Justin Alberty with GRDA, a plan is being worked on to get in and rescue them. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains the locks and navigation system. Wilson and his team monitored lower explosive limit levels, which are combustible chemical mixtures, to determine when it was safe for rescue crews to move. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, GRDA: Investigations launches after two people died from Kerr Dam explosion, DOWNLOAD the 2 Works for You app for alerts, Gov.