The search for a missing employee after an explosion at a natural gas platform in Lake Pontchartrain Sunday night has been suspended.
The missing worker was identified as 44-year-old Timothy Morrison of Katy, Texas. As of Monday at 7:15 p.m., the Coast Guard suspended its search for Morrison.
(Below image provided by KHOU)
"The decision to suspend a search is never an easy one," Coast Guard Commander Zac Ford said. "We send our thoughts and prayers to the Morrison family and all those affected by this incident."
According to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, eight people were aboard the platform at the time of the explosion around 8 p.m. Sunday. Seven people were rescued and rushed to area hospitals Sunday night. As of Monday morning, the Coast Guard was conducting a search and rescue operation for the last missing worker.
The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office says they will continue the search on Tuesday.
Clovelly Oil Company said that three of the injured workers are company employees and that five of the victims, including the missing man, are contract workers.
The seven victims that have been rescued from the scene so far are:
- Alvin Kimbrel -- 55, from Belle Chasse; initially transported to UMC where he was stabilized before being sent to Baton Rouge General due to the severity of his injuries.
- James Bordelon -- 62, from LaPlace; transported to UMC and is recovering following surgery.
- Lawrence Dufrene -- 45, from Marrero; initially transported to UMC where he was stabilized before being sent to Baton Rouge General due to the severity of his injuries.
- Davin Billiot -- 27, from Houma; treated and released from the hospital.
- Brent Neil -- 52, from Houma; treated and released from the hospital.
- Paul Phister -- 52, from Mandeville; treated and released from the hospital.
- Cody Boudreaux -- 23, from Chauvin; treated and released from the hospital.
Spokesman Tim O'Leary said the platform is a collection point for oil and gas from several wells. A statement from the company said a natural gas well was feeding the tank at the time of the explosion, which occurred during maintenance. The statement said the company's three oil wells were shut in at the time, and the flow from the gas well was cut off after the explosion.
A fire on the platform that continued to burn overnight, went out just before noon Monday. The Coast Guard said there was no sign of pollution in the lake.
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Several residents in Kenner told WWL-TV that they heard a loud boom that caused their homes to shake Sunday night following the explosion. Authorities say there have been no reports of building damage on shore.
Lopinto said the platform is a natural gas storage location that feeds from other nearby rigs. The platform is located in shallow water about a mile and a half from the Kenner boat launch.
Jefferson Parish officials told Eyewitness News that the workers were cleaning chemicals aboard the platform but the cause of the fire is unknown at this time. Arson investigators will determine the cause of the fire.
Patrick Courreges at the Department of Natural Resources said the platform is a production platform called a co-mingling facility where Clovelly draws oil from several different oil fields. Clovelly said it wasn't sure if any oil had been released into Lake Pontchartrain.
Lopinto said there does not appear to be an environmental impact.
Jefferson Parish President Mike Yenni said the parish's drinking water was not affected by the incident because the water is drawn from the Mississippi River.
Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, Jefferson County Parish and St. Charles Parish also had marine units on scene assisting on Sunday night.