McCook, Neb. — An explosion shortly after 5 p.m. Monday south of McCook along Highway 83 has resulted in serious injuries to a man who was using a cutting torch to convert an empty propane tank into a smoker according to a news release from the Red Willow County Sheriff’s Office.
The explosion was reported by neighbors who initially couldn’t determine the source of the blast. McCook dispatch paged Red Willow Western Fire and McCook Fire and Ambulance as well as the Red Willow County Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office said it appeared the subject took precautions to use water inside the tank to displace the vapor, but it was apparently insufficient to displace all the vapors. While he was attempting to cut the tank with a cutting torch, the vapors were ignited, causing the explosion. The Sheriff’s Office said he was wearing a respirator at the time and had taken other precautions as well.
The original caller contacted their neighbors, who responded and found their 24 year old son was the victim of the explosion.
First responders initiated a trauma code with McCook Community Hospital and arrangements were made to transfer the victim by air to CHI Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.
The Red Willow County Sheriff’s Office has spoken with the family and will not release the name of the victim until it’s cleared with the family.
The Sheriff’s Office says the injuries are serious and additional information about the victim’s condition won’t be released without the family’s approval.
