TWO WOMEN WERE
INJURED IN AN EXPLOSION WHILE TRESPASSING THE MCGREGOR BOMB RANGE IN NEW MEXICO
AND COLLECTING SCRAP METAL
Saturday, January 24, 2015
OTERO COUNTY, New Mexico – Two women were injured in an
explosion while collecting scrap metal, according to Otero County Sheriff's
Office. The incident happened at around 1 p.m. Saturday near McGregor Bomb
Range.
U.S. Highway 54 north and southbound lanes were closed
for most of the day as the El Paso Police Department assisted Otero officials
with the investigation. The closure lasted about six hours.
Lt. Col. Peters, Ft. Bliss public information
officer, says the FBI requested an Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit to help
investigate the scene.
It is believed that two men and two women were
collecting scrap metal in a pick-up truck when they came in contact with an
explosive that had not been activated yet.
At around 7 p.m. Saturday, the Otero County Sheriff's
Office said officials detonated another explosive found in the truck to secure
the area.
Otero County Undersheriff Daron Syling said the truck is
still in-tact and the area is safe.
He said the public should be aware that there is a risk
of encountering un-exploded ordnance in the McGregor Bomb Range, and
trespassing is illegal.
Syling also said those involved in Saturday's explosion
could face state or federal criminal charges for trespassing and stealing property.
"They don't know what they're picking up. They're
liable to end up in the same type of situation. Obviously there's a huge risk
to your safety," Syling said.
Syling said the women injured were transported to an El
Paso hospital via helicopter, so the sheriff's office believes they could have
serious injuries.
The sheriff's office said it will continue to work with
the FBI and Fort Bliss to determine the risk of any other un-exploded material
in the McGregor Bomb Range.