A devastating industrial accident in Texas has left one worker dead after a massive asphalt spill buried him alive under scorching material.
The tragedy unfolded on April 29 at a Martin Asphalt facility in South Houston, where officials say a tank carrying roughly 50,000 gallons of asphalt suddenly ruptured.
When the tank failed, thousands of gallons of hot asphalt poured out, engulfing part of the site and trapping a worker beneath what authorities estimate was about three feet of the material.
Officials with the Houston Fire Department said the worker was buried under the asphalt and died at the scene. Due to the dangerous conditions, recovery efforts were slow and complicated.
“Our fire department was able to locate the individual. Recovery is still underway,” a city official said during a press conference, adding that hazmat teams were brought in to assist.
The victim’s identity has not yet been released as authorities work to notify next of kin.
Despite the scale of the spill, officials said there was no threat to the surrounding community.
Aerial footage from the scene showed a massive spread of black asphalt across the facility, highlighting just how catastrophic the rupture was.
Neighbors nearby described hearing what sounded like an explosion before seeing the aftermath.
“You heard all the stuff start falling,” one witness said. “Then you could see the black tar coming out.”
In a statement, the company confirmed the worker was an employee and called the incident a tragedy.
“Emergency response procedures were initiated immediately,” the company said, adding that access to the area was limited due to the hazardous conditions. “We are treating this with the utmost seriousness.”
The company also expressed condolences to the victim’s family and said it is providing support to employees affected by the incident.
Authorities have not yet determined what caused the tank to rupture. The Pasadena Fire Marshal’s Office is now leading an investigation into the deadly accident.
I would think these tanks would be inspected almost daily considering they’re holding scalding asphalt. This family needs to sue this place no excuse for something like this to happen to anyone.
Civil litigation attorneys are already trying to find out who’s ASS (is at) FAULT.