Log in to WRAL.com with one click using your favorite social network:
OR
Log in using your WRAL.com account:



Wrong email/password combination.

Forgot password?

Register with WRAL.com using your favorite social network:
OR
Register for a WRAL.com account using our web form.

11:34 p.m. • 6-19-13

Weather Forecast for Raleigh

  • Thu: Partly Cloudy.
    • Hi: 85° F
  • Fri: Partly Cloudy.
    • Hi: 85° F
  • Sat: Thunderstorm.
    • Hi: 85° F

Other Locations

> 7 Day Forecast

Doppler Image

Published: 2007-02-18 19:36:00
Updated: 2007-02-19 14:14:41

Investigators Look for Clues in Fatal Plant Accident


Two Workers Dead After Suspected CO Poisoning Inside Wilson Plant
Two Workers Dead After Suspected CO Poisoning Inside Wilson Plant
print friendly
A Wilson plant was dark and quiet Sunday as investigators tried to piece together what caused an accident that killed two workers Saturday.

Kidde Aerospace and Defense Company decided to keep the plant closed until Monday as investigators with the state Department of Labor began to interview everyone who was there when contractors Ethan Jones and Milton Johnson collapsed of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning early Saturday afternoon.

What happened in the minutes before the toxic fumes overcame Jones and Johnson was under scrutiny. Tests showed that carbon monoxide levels of more than 500 parts per million were found in the area where they were cutting concrete before they became ill. That level is 50 times more than what emergency officials consider safe.

Investigators said they are looking into early reports from Wilson emergency workers that the two contractors employed by Wheeler Electric Company may have sealed off a room and possibly turned on a gas-powered saw before their collapse.

Wheeler Electric owner Davis Wheeler said Saturday that the two men were installing electrical wiring beneath a concrete floor as part of a larger expansion project at the Wilson plant.

Investigators also said they plan to look into employee training for Wheeler Electric employees who were working inside the Kidde plant. If irregularities or a violation of work safety rules are discovered, the Department of Labor may issue citations.

Officials with Wheeler Electrical Company were unavailable for comment on Sunday.
  • Reporter: Dan Bowens
  • Photographer: Tom Normanly
  • Web Editor: Dana Franks

5 Comments


WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.

View Comments 5 COMMENTS

This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Latest Comments
It's time for them to invest in some nice canary's ...

My sympathies to the mens families.

No finger pointing here! I just feel sorry for the families involved with the passing of their loved ones.

(Ethan Jones and Melton Johnson may you "Rest-In-Peace")

Let's do stick with facts at this point. A terrible thing to happen to anyone and my heart goes out to all involved.

This is a horrible situation and there are so many people involved- the families, the co-workers, the contractors, employees of Kidde. This is not a time to be pointing fingers. You don't know that Wheeler Electric didn't have an overseer. "Stick to the facts, please. Just the facts."

My step mom works at Kidde and I saw first hand the fear it had on her that day. All the employees take CPR training as far as I know and she said it is a very safe environment at Kidde. Wheeler should have had an overseer, some one more experianced. I prayed for the families.

View Comments 5 COMMENTS