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Officials Investigate Gas Worker’s Death in Pleasants County
By: Associated Press
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ST. MARYS, W.Va. (AP) – Federal officials are investigating the death of a gas industry worker last month in Pleasants County.
The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is examining the death of 20-year-old Aaron Michael Flanigan of Pennsboro, which occurred Dec. 17.
OSHA spokeswoman Leni Uddyback-Fortson says Flanigan was working for Balis Well Service, using a wooden gauge stick to measure contents of a tank, when he was found unresponsive on top of the tank. Officials say Flanigan was dead when emergency crews arrived.
Uddyback-Fortson says although unknown at this point, the agency is investigating Flanigan’s death to determine if it was caused by exposure to hydrocarbon gases and vapors and oxygen deficient atmosphere.