Drilling rig mishap injures Roosevelt man

VERNAL — A Roosevelt man was severely injured Monday in an industrial accident on a drilling rig in a remote part of Uintah County.

Patrick D. Wisener was working on a rig operated by XTO Energy when the glove on his left hand was caught between two sections of drilling pipe that were being fed down the well bore, according to Uintah County Undersheriff John Laursen.

Wisener was whipped around the pipe and collided with a pair of large metal tongs used in the drilling process, Laursen said. He was able to free himself and walk to a coworker's truck.

The incident happened about noon, XTO spokesman Jeff Neu said. The drilling rig is located roughly 60 miles south of Vernal. 

Emergency personnel were notified of the incident about 4:15 p.m., Laursen said, and met the pickup truck near the town of Ouray. A medical helicopter flew Wisener from there to Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, the undersheriff said.

The sheriff's office report indicated that the bones in Wisener's wrist were exposed and visible to first responders as a result of the mishap.

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration is investigating the incident, Laursen said.

Wisener remained hospitalized Tuesday. His condition was not released.

— Geoff Liesik

Twitter: GeoffLiesik