4 Roosevelt men injured in chemical release in oil and gas fields

VERNAL — Four Roosevelt men suffered chemical burns Friday in an incident in the oil and gas fields south of Vernal.

The men, all employees of Monument Well Service, were working on a "workover rig" 15 miles south of Bonanza, Uintah County, when a separator allowed hydrogen sulfide to escape from it, said Uintah County Undersheriff John Laursen. The four were injured when they became exposed to the liquid gas about 11:50 a.m.

Gold Cross ambulances were dispatched to meet two private pickup trucks that were carrying the men. The trucks were intercepted near the intersection of Glen Bench Road and state Route 45 southeast of Vernal.

John Loftis, 30, Burton Mahkewa, 26, Mark Leask, 46, and Cody Arrowchis, 30, all of Roosevelt, were taken to Ashley Regional Medical Center for treatment. Loftis and Mahkewa were then transported by medical helicopter to Salt Lake hospitals for further treatment.

Loftis was listed in serious condition at University Hospital.

Leask and Arrowchis were later released from the Vernal hospital, said hospital spokeswoman Debbie Spafford.

Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless, poisonous and flammable gas that occurs from a bacterial breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. It is often associated with natural gas production, which occurs in the oil and gas fields near Vernal.

Sheriff Jeff Merrell said the "rapid response of Gold Cross Ambulance, the quick setting up of the decontamination unit by Ashley Regional Medical Center staff, as well as the active involvement of the Uintah Fire District personnel was a textbook example of how our local people work together in a time of crisis."

— Geoff Liesik