Four Victims Identified from Crane Collapse at Houston Refinery
Deep South Crane & Rigging has identified four of its employees who were killed Friday when a large crane fell at the LyondellBasell Houston Refining facility in Houston. Deep South owns the crane and said it is cooperating with the investigation, which OSHA began this morning at the site.
"Our heartfelt sorrow and sympathy goes out to the families and loved ones of our co-workers," says a statement posted on the crane company's Web site. The statement identifies the four as Marion "Scooter" Hubert Odom III, 41, of Highlands, Texas; John D. Henry, 33, of Dayton, Texas; Daniel "DJ" Lee Johnson, 30, of Dayton, Texas; and Rocky Dale Strength, 30, of Santa Fe, Texas. "This is a terrible loss to the Deep South Crane and Rigging family. We are deeply saddened and sorrowful that this occurred. We are committed to doing the right thing to make sure this type of tragedy does not happen again. Please keep our co-workers and their families in your prayers," the statement continues.
Deep South has offices in Houston and Beaumont, Texas, and in Baton Rouge and Lake Charles, La. The Houston Chronicle reported today that the falling crane struck a smaller crane, which fell onto a tent where contract workers would take breaks and cool off during renovation work at the refinery. Seven workers, also contract employees, were hurt in the collapse, the newspaper reported.
For updates, visit www.deepsouthcrane.com and www.chron.com.