Sunday, May 28, 2017

a propane leak caused the explosion that rocked a neighborhood and destroyed a home in Glidewell, MO

GLIDEWELL, Mo. (KY3) - Investigators say a propane leak caused the explosion that rocked a neighborhood and destroyed a home

People living along Farm Road 76, near Missouri 13, reported a loud explosion around 5 p.m. The blast shook their houses, rattled windows, and left frightened residents wondering what happened.

According to investigators, the startling boom was caused by leaking propane that filled the basement of the home. Something ignited the gas, causing the explosion that ripped apart a portion of the house.

Amazingly, the homeowner was not injured; he was able to climb out and turn off the propane line leading from the storage tank.

"I was laying on the bedroom floor close to the road with my baby, and I just heard this big explosion. It was kind of loud," said Irina Nothum, who lives across the street. "That was is the first thing on my mind - it was that it was propane because it was so close and it was so loud."

Initially, there was only a minor fire in the basement. The homeowner, neighbors, and a passerby tried to douse the flames while firefighters rolled their way. However, the fire could not be contained. The flames rapidly consumed what was left of the house. Neighbors say the house was engulfed in three minutes time.

"They were trying to put out the fire in the basement, and the policeman came and then I heard the sirens go off. Flames and black smoke were coming up," Nothum said.

The smoke could be seen for miles. In fact, the dark plumes could be seen from near the KY3 studios, which is nearly 14 miles from the house.

It took firefighters from six departments about 45 minutes to knock down the flames. The house was a total loss.

"At that point, when you have two levels fully involved, with the restricted manpower that we do have out here, it becomes a manpower and water supply situation," said Fire Chief Nelson Prewitt, of Ebenezer Fire Protection District

Despite the explosion and intense fire, the homeowner was not injured during the ordeal.

Prewitt said, "With an explosion like that if that occurred, you are just lucky no one was injured."

Unfortunately, he man's pets- including at least two dogs- did perish in the fire.

While the leaking propane was determined to have caused the explosion and blaze, fire investigators are trying to determine what caused the leak in the first place.

The Weld County Coroner said Oscar Lopez Velasquez, 32, of Greeley was killed in the Anadarko Petroleum oil tank explosion and fire Thursday

Coroner releases name of worker killed in oil tank fire near Mead
Posted 3:03 pm, May 27, 2017, by David Mitchell

WELD COUNTY, Colo. — The name of the worker who died in the oilfield-related explosion and fire near Mead this week was released Saturday.

The Weld County Coroner said Oscar Lopez Velasquez of Greeley was killed in the incident Thursday. He was 32 years old.

Three other workers were injured after the oil tank explosion, which happened just more than one month after a home explosion killed two people in the same general area.

The fire started about 3:15 p.m. at an Anadarko Petroleum oil tank battery near Colorado Highway 66 and Weld County Road 13 as workers were doing maintenance work, the Weld County Sheriff’s Office said.

Witnesses said first there was a fire, then the explosion. It sent smoke into the air that could be seen for miles.

The cause of the explosion was under investigation.

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One killed, 3 injured in Anadarko oil tank explosion in Weld County

Posted 4:09 pm, May 25, 2017, by Michael Konopasek and Web Staff, Updated at 09:41PM, May 25, 2017

WELD COUNTY, Colo. -- One person was killed and three others were injured after an oil tank explosion in Weld County on Thursday, just more than one month after a home explosion killed two people in the same general area.

The fire started about 3:15 p.m. at an Anadarko Petroleum oil tank battery near Colorado 66 and Colorado Boulevard as workers were doing maintenance work, the Weld County Sheriff's Office said.

Witnesses said first there was a fire, then the explosion. It sent smoke into the air that could be seen for miles.

The cause of the explosion was under investigation.

Two of the injured workers were taken to North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley for burn treatment and one was taken to Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland.

The blast is the latest headache plaguing Anadarko, the company investigators said is at the center of both incidents.

Witnesses said they could feel the explosion from more than a mile away.

"It was like two bombs going off back-to-back," Ken Millette said.

"It was a violent explosion," said Laurie Rayhill, who lives close to the well. "I just saw the smoke, and I took off running, calling 911."

Just a month after the deadly Firestone house explosion, people who live and work in the area are noticeably on edge.

The anxiety is high as the state continues to monitor underground gas levels and Anadarko works to inspect its wells.

The oil tank battery is just five miles north of the deadly home explosion in Firestone. A new pocket of gas had been discovered in the Firestone neighborhood.

State investigators said they were in contact with Anadarko to learn what went wrong.

Mountain View Fire Rescue said there was no hazard to nearby residents and there were no evacuations.

WEAR YOUR LIFE VEST WHEN BOATING: A major contributor to people dying during boating accidents is that the victims were not wearing a life vest.

Law enforcement urges boating safety after recent accidents

Saturday, May 27, 2017 11:21PM

DURHAM, North Carolina (WTVD) --

After recent boating incidents, law enforcement agencies around the state are reminding the public about the dangers of operating a boat while under the influence and other hazards on the water.

RELATED: MAN PULLED FROM WATER IN JOHNSTON COUNTY HAS DIED

Boating accidents are unfortunately common this time of the year.

On Saturday, a water rescue was issued to help two boats that collided on Falls Lake. Even though no one was injured, officials said incidents like this are a "very real danger."

Like driving, boating requires care and situational awareness; however, unlike driving, the waters have no lanes, no stop signs, and no traffic lights.

Owner and manager of Rollingview Marina, Brandon Gooch, said one way to reduce danger is to reduce speed, which greatly diminishes a boat's wake.

"Most of the danger comes for kayakers, paddle boaters, and canoers," the third generation dockmaster said. "If they get hit with a rather large wake, they, in turn, can be flipped over."

Wakes can also rattle speed boats.

But the biggest worry for families is drunk boaters.

"When you see someone coming your way, it's a good idea to look around you, look behind you," Gooch said. "When you try to move over, make sure there's no one you're going to cut off."

In 2016, 23 people died in boating accidents in North Carolina. Officials said a major contributor to these deaths is that the victims were not wearing a life vest.

Of the 23 fatalities, only three people were wearing a vest, yet state law requires one life jacket for every person on board.

Overall, authorities investigated 147 boating accidents in 2016.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) was out on the water Saturday in full force, hoping that their presence will help lake goers make smart decisions.

"We hope by being on the lake, seeing us out there (we can make a change)" Brent Ward with the NCWRC said. "If just one person sees us out and doesn't do something they might have done otherwise, it has all been worth it."

For the seventh year, the NCWRC is partnering with the State Highway Patrol and Mothers Against Drunk Driving for "On the Road, On the Water, Don't Drink and Drive," which is a nationally recognized campaign that combines law enforcement resources to ensure the everyone can travel safely during the summer months.

According to the NCWRC, there are five new felony offenses for an operating while intoxicated offense:

Repeat death by impaired boating- Class B2 felony

Death by impaired boating- Class D felony

Aggravated death by impaired boating- Class D felony

Aggravated serious injury by impaired boating- Class E felony

Serious injury by impaired boating- Class F felony

Anyone born after 1988 must have a boating license to operate a watercraft.

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Officials: Man pulled from water in Johnston County has died

A man drowned in Johnston County's Holt Lake

Friday, May 26, 2017 06:16PM
JOHNSTON COUNTY, North Carolina (WTVD) -- A man pulled from Holt Lake in Johnston County on Friday has died, officials told ABC11.

Authorities told ABC11 an older man was involved in a boating accident near the dam. Crews on the scene said two people were on two boats on the water. One boat got too close to the dam and got stuck.

The man got out of his boat to help the other boater and lost his footing, causing him to fall in the lake. He was overcome by the current and drowned, officials said.

The other boater was not hurt.

North Carolina Wildlife has been notified and is investigating.

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Fisherman Drowns In Boating Accident
May 26, 2017

One person died in a boating accident Friday afternoon. It happened at 3:16pm at Holt’s Lake on Highway 301 South of Smithfield.

Four friends in two separate boats were fishing near the dam when one of the boats became lodged on the spillway at the dam. The other boat and its occupants came to assist their friends. While trying to free the boat one of the men was overcome by the current and drowned. The name of the victim has not been released pending notification of family members.

The three other individuals were not harmed.

The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident. The Smithfield and Four Oaks Fire Departments, Johnston County EMS, Smithfield Police Department and NC Highway Patrol responded to the scene.

12-year-old boy dies, seven injured in separate boat crashes at start of Memorial Day weekend

12-year-old boy dies, seven injured in separate boat crashes at start of Memorial Day weekend
FRANK BUMB and MELISSA MONTOYA , The News-Press Published 11:14 a.m. ET May 27, 2017 | Updated 12 hours ago

(Photo: Cape Coral Police Department)

A 12-year-old boy is dead and seven others are injured after two separate boat crashes on the Caloosahatchee River on Saturday – a tragic start to the Memorial Day weekend.

The first crash occurred around 9 a.m. after a 32-foot vessel struck the Midpoint Memorial Bridge, claiming the life Noah Pollock, 12, who died from his injuries after first responders arrived on scene. His younger brother, 10-year-old Wade Pollock, was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital in critical condition. Their grandfather, Benjamin Tipton, 72 of North Fort Myers, was transported to Lee Memorial Hospital. Their father, Ryan Pollock, 44, suffered minor injuries.

Tipton was listed in fair condition at Lee Memorial Hospital on Saturday night. Attempts to reach the Pollock family were unsuccessful Saturday.

A second single-vessel crash, about a half-mile from the first, injured four others, said Brian Norris, public information officer with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the agency investigating both crashes.

The second crash occurred at around 1:30 p.m. about a few hundred yards offshore from Jaycee Park, Norris said. One man was ejected from the boat and transported to Cape Coral Hospital. A second male and two women suffered minor injuries, he said.

Investigators were still determining what caused the two boat crashes.

“We don’t know the cause of either one of the crashes yet,” he said. “The second investigation is very preliminary.”

The morning crash happened as the father and grandfather and two children made their way west through the canal beneath the Midpoint Bridge, with their ultimate destination being the Florida Keys.

Norris said investigators were still looking into whether excessive speed or other factors played a role.

The Florida Department of Transportation inspected the bridge and is assessing the damage. At no point was the bridge closed to road traffic.

The Everest Boat Ramp in Cape Coral was closed as emergency responders used it as a staging area to conduct both crash investigations. The ramp will remain closed for an undetermined amount of time as the investigations continue.

Norris said the response by Cape Coral Police Department, FWC, Fort Myers Police Department, local fire departments and other agencies was swift.

“Most of the agencies were already out on the water,” Norris said. “This is Memorial Day weekend so we’re all hands on deck. Unfortunately, this is not how we wanted to start the weekend.”

2 FRYEBURG MAINE OFFICERS SERIOUSLY INJURED AFTER THEY CRASH THEIR BOAT ON THE SACO RIVER ILE SERCHING FOR MISSING FEMALE WHOSE CANOE HAD CAPSIZED

Fryeburg boat crash: officer has 'potentially life threatening injuries'
Kristina Rex, WCSH 4:10 AM. EDT May 28, 2017

FRYEBURG, Maine (NEWS CENTER) - Fryeburg Police say the two officers injured in a Saturday afternoon boat crash both have serious injuries - one of which is potentially life threatening.

Fryeburg Police say Officer Dale Stout (51) and Officer Nathan Desjardins (20) were out on the Saco River in a police boat attempting to locate a 26-year-old female whose canoe had capsized.

En route to the female, the officers hit an object near the shore while coming around a corner, causing them both to be ejected from the boat.

Both men had to be lifefligthted to Central Maine Medical Center.

Desjardins is currently suffering possibly life-threatening injuries, and Stout has 'serious' injuries, according to Police Chief Joshua Potvin.

Potvin describes Saturday as a 'difficult and exhausting day' for Fryeburg Police.

The 26-year-old South Berwick woman is still missing as of Sunday morning. Crews will resume the search at 7 AM - led by the Maine Warden Service.

The following press release was issued at about 2 a.m. Sunday by Fryeburg Police Chief Joshua Potvin:

On 05/27/2017 at approximately 3:50pm Fryeburg Police received a 9-1-1 call regarding a capsized canoe near mile 8 of the Saco River in Fryeburg. It was reported that a male and female were in the water. The male subject was rescued however a 26 year old female from South Berwick was not located. Two Fryeburg officers responded to the rescue call by deploying a motorized police jet-boat.

While enroute to rescue the missing female canoeist the police boat crashed, severely injuring the two officers aboard.

Both officers were thrown from the watercraft and sustained serious injuries. Officer Dale Stout (51) and Officer Nathan Desjardins (20) were flown to Central Maine Medical Center via Lifeflight. Stout sustained serious injuries and Desjardins sustained potential life threatening injuries.

Several area law enforcement agencies responded to the scene to assist. Maine Warden Service is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for the police watercraft crash as well as the missing canoeist.

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FRYEBURG, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- The Maine Warden Service temporarily suspended the search Saturday night for a woman who they say fell into the Saco River in Fryeburg during a boating accident.

As of 11 p.m., the Warden Service had not found the missing woman. They say she was in a boat with two other people which capsized.

The Warden Service says they plan to return to the search scene Sunday around 7 a.m. with the Maine Warden Service Dive Team.

Major Chris Cloutier said alcohol was a factor in the incident. Cloutier said the river is extremely, high, fast, and cold due to recent rains.

They said two Fryeburg police officers responded to the situation, trying to help the woman. The boat was going around a corner in the river when it collided with something on or near the shore.

The officers were taken by LifeFlight to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. The condition of the victims is unknown at this time. The crash remains under investigation.

An Oxford County Sheriff's deputy says first responders in Fryeburg are looking for a woman who may have fallen into the water in the Saco River near Walker's Bridge.

Department of Public Safety spokesperson Steve McCausland said two Fryeburg police officers responded in a canoe to a report of multiple people who had fallen in the water. He said the canoe flipped, and both officers were taken by LifeFlight to hospitals.

As of 10:30 p.m. Saturday, first responders had left the scene at Walker's Bridge.

Multiple first responder agencies put out messages of support on their social media pages:

Oxford County Dispatchers say "some" of the people have been located, but could not say how many.

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Boater missing, police officers hurt in Saco River boat crash

Oxford Hills |
Saturday, May 27, 2017

Two Fryeburg police officers were seriously hurt Saturday afternoon when their boat crashed while responding to a report of an overturned canoe on the Saco River.

A man was rescued from the water next to his capsized canoe but his female companion had not been found by early Sunday morning.

The two police officers, meanwhile, were taken by Lifeflight helicopter to Central Maine Medical Center. They were identified as Officer Dale Stout, 51, and Nathan Desjardins, 20.

Stout sustained serious injuries, according to a Freyburg police press release. Desjaredins' injuries were considered potentially life threatening.

According to the release, at approximately 3:50 p.m. Saturday, Fryeburg Police received a 9-1-1 call regarding a capsized canoe near mile 8 of the Saco River. It was reported that a male and female were in the water. The male was rescued, however a 26 year old female from South Berwick was not located.

The two Fryeburg officers had responded to the rescue call by deploying a motorized police jet-boat. While enroute to rescue the missing female, the boat crashed, polie said.

Several area law enforcement agencies responded to the scene to assist. Maine Warden Service is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for the police watercraft crash as well as the missing canoeist.

NO BOATING FOR OLD MEN: Bonnie Kalanick died, and Donald Kalanick injured after their boat struck a rock and sank at Pine Flat Lake near Fresno, CA. They were not wearing the mandatory Life Jackets

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick with his mother, Bonnie Kalanick.

Uber CEO's mother killed, father injured in boating accident

Saturday, May 27, 2017 06:47PM

FRESNO, California --
The victims of a boating accident that left a woman dead and her husband injured near Fresno, California on Friday are the parents of Uber CEO and co-founder Travis Kalanick, the company said. They were not wearing the mandatory Life Jackets.

The Fresno County Sheriff's Office says Kalanick's parents, Donald and Bonnie, both in their 70s, were out at Pine Flat Lake when their boat struck a rock and sank.

Passing boaters noticed the debris field hours later and notified authorities. A sheriff's office helicopter spotted the couple, but by the time rescuers reached them, Bonnie was found dead. Donald was transported to Community Regional Medical Center where he is expected to survive.

THE ORIGINAL STORY:

At Pine Flat Lake, a quiet evening turned into chaos and confusion. A married couple in their 70s disappeared on a boat in the upper Kings River.

Uber issued the following statement regarding the accident:

"Last night Travis and his family suffered an unspeakable tragedy. His mother passed away in a devastating boating accident near Fresno and his father is in serious condition. Our thoughts and prayers are with Travis and his family in this heartbreaking time." They were not wearing the mandatory Life Jackets and they paid the price.

Uber was founded in 2009 by Kalanick and Garrett Camp.

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Uber CEO's mother dies in boating accident: 'Unspeakable tragedy' Posted: May 27, 2017 7:40 PM EST Updated: May 28, 2017 3:41 AM EST

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick with his mother, Bonnie Kalanick who died in the boat crash. They were not wearing the mandatory Life Jackets.

On Saturday, the Fresno County Sheriff's Dive Team and Boating Enforcement Unit worked together to successfully recover the wrecked boat from Pine Flat Lake. The victims of a boating accident that left a woman dead and her husband injured near Fresno, California on Friday are the parents of Uber CEO and co-founder Travis Kalanick. By Jackie Wattles

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Uber CEO Travis Kalanick's parents were involved in a boating accident on Friday that killed his mother and left his father badly injured.

The company, in a statement on Saturday, called the incident an "unspeakable tragedy" and said that Kalanick's father remains in a "serious condition." Kalanick's mother, Bonnie, was 71.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Travis and his family in this heartbreaking time," the Uber statement reads.

An email sent to Uber employees said that Kalanicks father is being treated at a hospital.

Kalanick's parents, who went on frequent boating trips, were on Pine Flat Lake in Fresno County, California, when the accident occurred Friday.

The Fresno County Sheriff's Office said in a statement that an investigation into the incident is underway. An autopsy is planned for Sunday.

"A preliminary report indicates the boat struck a rock and the man and woman on the boat suffered injuries from the collision," the sheriff's statement said. They were not wearing the mandatory Life Jackets.

Kalanick was close with his mother, a person familiar with the matter said. Just over a week ago, he shared a Facebook post for Mother's Day with photos of them together, saying "I appreciate my mom, her infinite love and huge [heart] more and more."

Where the oak and pine meet
in the Sierra Nevada foothills, 35 miles east of Fresno, you will find an exceptional body of water called Pine Flat Lake.

Over a million acre feet of water is fed from the Kings Canyon watershed, the highest and longest watershed drop in the Continental United States. The lake offers a variety of activities such as recreational boating, world class fishing, and camping. At maximum capacity, the lake holds 1,000,000 acre feet of water, is 30 miles long and has a surface area of 6,000 acres. The lake and surrounding watersheds have great fishing. There are wild trout above and in the lake. In the lake lives large and smallmouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and planted trout.

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Boaters and Swimmers at Pine Flat Lake Have New Life Jacket Rule

Increasing Federal Regulation for Many Boaters, Says BoatUS

Photo Caption: Without any public comment, the US Army Corp of Engineers has instituted a new mandatory life jacket regulation at Pine Flat Lake, CA (shown).Photo Credit: USACE

Donald Kalanick with his son the Uber CEO

Donald Kalanick, injured

PINE FLAT LAKE, Calif. -- Jumping off your boat for a swim in Pine Flat Lake, California without a life jacket? As of April 1, anyone found swimming more than 100 feet from shore without a life jacket – including boaters who routinely jump in to try to beat 100-degree-plus temperatures – could result in a $175 fine as part of the new life jacket regulations put in the place by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), which manages the lake.

In addition to life jackets now being mandatory for all swimmers outside of designated swim areas, new USACE regulations say that US Coast Guard approved life jackets must be worn by:

Everyone aboard all non-motorized vessels, regardless of length, at all times,
Everyone aboard motorized vessels up to 16-feet in length, at all times.
Everyone aboard motorized vessels 16-feet in length or larger when underway (except when powered by trolling motor or if you are inside a fully-enclosed cabin or the boat is stationary.)

The US Army Corps of Engineers is the nation's largest provider of outdoor recreation, operating more than 2,500 recreation areas at 456 projects (mostly lakes) in 43 states and leasing an additional 1,800 sites to state or local park and recreation authorities or private interests.

With nearly 372 million visits a year at the Corps lakes, beaches and other areas, the overall number of Corps water-related fatalities nationwide averages around 150 annually. Boating-related fatalities at Corps facilities nationwide average 32 deaths a year (not including those who voluntarily left their boat to swim).

“Unlike state agencies, or even the US Coast Guard, the Corps of Engineers can make this kind of change without any public comment,” said Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) Vice President of Government Affairs Margaret Podlich. “As part of a multi-year study, they have instituted similar requirements in the Pittsburgh, PA area and some lakes in Mississippi. While the word ‘study’ implies a temporary ruling, the Corps says they are considering more permanent life jacket rules in the future that would cover much larger geographical areas.”

Boaters are encouraged to share their thoughts about these requirements by logging in at [link removed since comment period over] to send email comments to the Pine Flat Lake Park Manager and their members of Congress.