Two dead after falling into drainage system at Western Kentucky power plant
ROBARDS, Ky. – Henderson, Kentucky, officials said two people died while working near Big Rivers Electric Corporation's Green Station power plant Tuesday.
The two workers — Eric Williams, 34, of Henderson, and 39-year-old Phillip Hill of Greenville, Kentucky — died after reportedly falling into a confined drainage system, a company spokeswoman said.
The Henderson County Coroner's office released the names of the victims Wednesday morning.
Tuesday evening, Big River Electric Corporation spokeswoman Stephanie McCombs confirmed that a company employee and a contractor were the two victims. It wasn't immediately known who was who.
McCombs said Williams and Hill died while working on the company's Sebree Station property, which is located adjacent to the Green Station power plant near Robards, Kentucky.
First responders had been conducting an hours-long rescue operation at the Henderson County plant.
The initial rescue operation was complicated by the presence of toxic fumes, according to City of Henderson Public Information Officer Donna Stinnett. The operation was a "tedious, slow" effort to keep rescue crews safe, she said.
Big Rivers Electric Corporation President and CEO Bob Berry said the incident marked a "devastating loss of life for the Big Rivers family."
"Big Rivers will be working with the proper regulatory authorities, our employees, local responders and safety officials as the investigation continues," Berry said.
More details surrounding the two deaths are still unavailable, but McCombs said Big River Electric Corporation and the contractor's employer are working with investigators.
The Webster County Sheriff's Office and Henderson Fire Department responded to the incident, and specialized teams from departments in Owensboro and Evansville also were expected to assist.
In May, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear awarded safety and health awards to the Green Station plant and three other Big Rivers facilities in Western Kentucky.
The worksites, which included the company's Henderson headquarters, logged hundreds of thousands of hours of working time without a workplace injury or accident that resulted in missed shifts.
The investigation into the fatal incident is ongoing. Berry said the company's "hearts and prayers" are with the families of both victims.
This story will be updated.
Houston Harwood can be contacted at walter.harwood@courierpress.com with story ideas and questions. Twitter: @houston_whh
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Rescue operation underway at Western Kentucky power plant
