A crowd gathered in California's Central Valley as Pacific Gas & Electric Kern power plant was set to be demolished. As the building started coming down with a fiery crash, a distant scream of a man crying for help was heard. Police Lt. Scott Tunnicliffe found the 44-year old victim's leg blown off.
"It was a piece of shrapnel that came flying out of the explosion and came across and went through a couple of chain link fences, Tunnicliffe shares. He further states that the man's other leg is also severely injured, which most likely will be amputated as well. Investigators declined to release the victim's name.
The four other victims endured minor injuries, three of which were treated on the scene and one sent to the hospital. Officers speculate that more could have ended up injured and might have taken themselves to the hospital.
49-year old Fred Garten, one of the incident's victims stood just behind the perimeter when a door-sized metal slung at him, leaving his right leg injured. " It's a good gouge, but it's just scratches," he says.
PG&E announced the controlled implosion last Friday, even leading to the temporary closure of Coffee Road on the eastern side of the plant. PG&E spokesman Denny Boyles says they got subcontractors to set up a safe perimeter and take care of the demolition. Boyles notes, "We are deeply saddened that this happened," and continues to say, "We're looking for answers like everyone else."
As told to CNN, Boyles shares that they did not encourage spectators and did not designate any viewing areas for the Bakersfield implosion.
The company promises to have a thorough investigation on the case and states that the their thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families.
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