A CREW OF FOUR CONTRACT PAINTERS WERE WORKING ON A Giddings, Texas, water tower when an explosion occurred pitching three of them off the top of the structure. They were thrown to the ground about 40 ft. below leaving them critically injured, one with severe burns. The fourth painter was on the side ladder when it occurred and was not injured.
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Officials believe that the men were either welding or grinding on the top of the tank, preparing it for a repainting when it exploded. It is not yet known just what it was that flashed or where the gasses were at the time. A police officer says that the workers heard some “rumbling” coming from inside the tank and were in the process of evacuating to the ladder when it blew.
Two STARflight helicopters transported the victims to Brackenridge Hospital where one underwent surgery and another was in ICU. A third, Orlando Olivia of Bryan Texas was transferred to the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio for burns he received from the explosion.
KVUE-TV Austin has a video report:
Giddings is 55 miles east of Austin and city officials believe that the tank was filled with water at the time. The explosion did not appear to have damaged the tank in any way, but it has not yet been thoroughly inspected.
The Austin American-Statesman has a REPORT.
