A violent gas pipeline explosion rocked the Port of Corpus Christi Friday morning, sending six people to hospitals. These included four Port workers and two crew members from a dredging vessel. Four other crew members from the Waymon L. Boyd dredging vessel were missing following the massive blast. As of Saturday morning, these crew members were presumed to have been killed in the gas pipeline explosion.
Including the crew of the boat, a total of 18 people were believed to be working in the vicinity of the blast. Five of the six injured people were airlifted to a specialized burn center at a San Antonio medical center. The sixth injured person was transported to an area hospital and was reported to have been released on Friday. The five burn victims are thought to be in serious condition and likely to require an extended period of hospitalization and recovery. As of Saturday morning, none of the Corpus Christi gas pipeline explosion burn victims had died.
Routine Dredging Operations Turn Deadly
The Dredging vessel was engaged in routine operations at the Port before the Corpus Christi gas pipeline explosion. The vessel was charged with the task of excavating material from the waterway to enhance the efficiency of maritime operations.
The Waymon L. Boyd dredging vessel has a crew of six onboard Friday morning. Their identities have yet to be announced pending notification of family members and a final determination as to the status of the four missing crew members.
Dredging Vessel Struck, Damaged Submerged Gas Pipeline
In the midst of operations on Friday morning, the dredging vessel struck and caused catastrophic damage to a submerged Port of Corpus Christi gas pipeline. The Port is home to a significant number of submerged gas pipelines. This particular pipeline was carrying natural gas at the time of the collision and devastating explosion.
Corpus Christi Fire Department Chief Robert Rocha was on the scene. He reported that firefighters faced “heavy fire and smoke conditions” upon their arrival at the Port. They were able to shut down the supply line feeding the fire by late Friday morning, which was a major step in bringing the blaze under control. Firefighters fully extinguished the fire by mid-afternoon.
Search and rescue efforts continued throughout the day and throughout the night, according to officials. As was mentioned previously, as of Saturday morning, none of the four missing dredging vessel crew members had been found. The Coast Guard is also involved in the search for the missing crew members. As a result of the nature and magnitude of the gas pipeline explosion, as of Saturday morning hope began to diminish that the crew members would be found alive.
The National Transportation Safety Board commenced an investigation into the underlying cause or causes of the Corpus Christi gas pipeline explosion. In addition, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that the state has started an investigation at the scene. Local authorities remain involved in the probe as well.
If you’ve been injured in a Corpus Christi gas pipeline explosion, or if a member of your family has been injured or killed in this type of tragic incident, the experienced, skilled, caring legal team at The Doan Law Firm is available to answer any questions you may have about your legal rights. You can connect with a Corpus Christi gas pipeline explosion lawyer from our firm any time of the day or night by calling us at (316) 371-0000.
We can schedule an initial consultation and case evaluation with a gas pipeline explosion lawyer at our offices in Corpus Christi, conveniently located at:
710 Buffalo
Suite 802
Corpus Christi, Texas 78401
In addition, we can arrange an appoint with you at your home, at the hospital, or at any location that is convenient for you. There is no charge for an initial consultation.
A nationwide law firm, Texas is our headquarters and our home. We’ve offices located throughout the state of Texas and across the United States to serve victims of explosions and other types of personal injuries. The Doan Law Firm makes an attorney fee guarantee to you. We never charge an attorney fee unless we win for you.