Red Willow County, Neb. — The Red Willow County Sheriff’s Office is releasing information from the family of an explosion victim.
The Sheriff’s Office says, Shelby Skolout, the wife of the victim provided the following information:
“25 year old Thatcher Skolout is in ICU in Kearney where he is expected to remain sedated at least over the next 5 days as medical personnel monitor and take steps to reduce swelling on his brain. She wants to thank the army of people who helped get him to this facility knowing that many of the emergency personnel knew the person that they were responding to and caring for. Shelby and the rest of her and Thatchers families are amazed by the love and prayers offered up for Him. The next 72 hours are critical and there is a long road ahead but we are all praying for a full recovery.”
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One person injured in explosion south of McCook
McCook, Neb. — An explosion shortly after 5 p.m. on Monday south of McCook along Highway 83 seriously injured 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 says 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 ignited, causing the explosion. The Sheriff’s Office says 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 additional information about the victim’s condition won’t be released without the family’s approval.
