One Rock Springs man died and three other men were injured in a workover rig explosion in North Dakota on Saturday.
According to information released by the McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office, 52-year-old Johnny Stassinos of Rock Springs, WY died at the hospital in Minot North Dakota on Saturday afternoon.
Another Rock Springs resident, 27-year-old Richard Maheu, was injured in the explosion and is still at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN along with Daniel Montes, 28 of Fruita, Colo. Both Maheu and Montes were last known to be in critical condition as a result of serious burns, according to the McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office.
Justin Pyle, 40, of Grand Junction, CO was treated at the McKenzie County Heath Care Systems Hospital in Watford City, ND for minor injuries and released.
Officers were dispatched to the explosion at about 8:18 a.m. on Saturday. The rig explosion occurred near Watford City, ND at a well site located near 118th Ave. NW and North Dakota Highway 23 in McKenzie County.
The location was an XTO location, and all those injured worked for contractors on the location. The North Dakota State Fire Marshal’s Office and OSHA have been notified of the incident.
The McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office continues to work with other agencies on this incident. The agencies involved include the McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office, the ND State Fire Marshal’s Office, OSHA, the Ward County Coroner’s Office, and the McKenzie County Coroner.