Ammonia Release Deadly At CF Industries Site
November 17, 2009 A truck driver was killed and another critically injured Monday (Nov. 16) when ammonia leaked during a loading operation at CF Industries Holdings, Inc.’s Pine Bend Terminal in Rosemont, MN.
The company has expressed it sympathies to the victims and is cooperating with the investigation. “Tragically, one truck driver was injured fatally and another was taken to an area hospital with undetermined injuries,” said Brian Spencer, general manager of Distribution Facilities for CF Industries. “Our thoughts are with the injured driver and the affected families.”
According to twincities.com, the ammonia leak occurred just before 6 p.m. local time and immediately killed the one driver. The second driver, who had to be decontaminated before being loaded onto a medical helicopter, was flown to Regions Hospital in St. Paul. He was in critical condition late Monday, authorities said. Two law enforcement officers called to the scene also complained of symptoms from inhaling the gas, were able to drive themselves to a local hospital, and were treated and released.
The anhydrous ammonia, which leaked when the connection between a supply tank and tanker trunk apparently failed, was quickly shut off. The toxic cloud rapidly dissipated and the danger remained confined to the site, authorities and CF Industries said.
"They shut down basically immediately, and there’s really no houses around here," said Rosemount police Sgt. Bryan Burkhalter.
The released ammonia has dissipated and did not present a hazard to the community. Company personnel are cooperating with local officials and have begun a full investigation, according to a company press release.
(Sources: CF Industries; twincities.com)
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