Worker Dies of Injuries From Oklahoma Grain Elevator Explosion

ENID, Okla. (AP) -- An employee who suffered severe burns when a grain elevator exploded last month died Tuesday of his injuries.

Wayne Rivers, who was burned severely around his head during a fire and explosion at the ADM Milling Co. plant in Enid on Jan. 24, died early Tuesday morning at the Integris Baptist Paul Silverstein Burn Center in Oklahoma City.

After the explosion, officials said Rivers, 54, suffered second-and third-degree burns to his face and hands, and a broken shoulder and ribs from falling. He was initially listed in good condition after being transferred to the Oklahoma City hospital.

``We are deeply saddened at the death,'' said Karla Miller, a spokeswoman for Decatur, Ill.-based Archer Daniels Midland, ADM Milling's parent company. ``Obviously, our sympathy goes out to the family.''

Employees at the Enid plant were allowed to leave work and pay their respects to the family Tuesday. Funeral arrangements were still pending with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.

Rivers was one of two workers injured in the blast. Robert Rogers suffered burns to the back of his head, and was treated at an Enid hospital and released.

Enid Fire Marshal George Frye said Rivers was coming from an office in the plant's bulk receiving area when a fireball hit him and he was knocked down a metal catwalk 25 feet into the basement.

Miller said the plant is working at partial production while reconstruction continues. She said there is no way to estimate when it will be back at full production levels.

Officials have said flour dust likely ignited to cause the explosion, but no official cause has been determined. Miller said the company would not release the cost of the damage.

ADM Milling employs 60 workers at the plant, which was purchased from Pillsbury in 1992.

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• Oklahoma Grain Elevator Explosion Injures Two