Vernal man killed in oil-field accident

Published: Thursday, Jan. 10 2013 1:45 p.m. MST

Summary

David Ray Broome, 62, of Vernal, was killed Wednesday when he was crushed by a section of pipe during the construction of a natural gas pipeline.

BRIDGELAND, Duchesne County — A Vernal man working on the construction of a natural gas pipeline died Wednesday after he was crushed by a section of pipe.

The mishap occurred about 10:30 a.m. when a large piece of equipment used to bend sections of steel pipe, which are 12 inches in diameter, began to slide into the pipeline trench, according to Duchesne County Sheriff's Lt. Travis Tucker.

An employee of RJ Taylor Welding and Construction tried to stop the machine from falling by grabbing onto a piece of pipe that was in the machine, Tucker said. The machine fell into the trench, though, and the man was crushed by the pipe as it slammed into the ground.

Authorities said David Ray Broome, 62, died at the scene. His body was taken to the State Medical Examiner's Office for autopsy.

The sheriff's office and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration continue to investigate the incident.

— Geoff Liesik

Twitter: GeoffLiesik

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