Associated Press Published

Officials Investigate Gas Workers Death in Pleasants County

Natural Gas, Compressor Station

Federal officials are investigating the death of a gas industry worker last month in Pleasants County.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports  the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is examining the death of 20-year-old Aaron Michael Flanigan of Pennsboro, which occurred Dec. 17.

OSHA spokeswoman Leni Uddyback-Fortson says Flanigan was working for Balis Well Service, using a wooden gauge stick to measure contents of a tank, when he was found unresponsive on top of the tank. Officials say Flanigan was dead when emergency crews arrived.

Uddyback-Fortson says although unknown at this point, the agency is investigating Flanigan’s death to determine if it was caused by exposure to hydrocarbon gases and vapors and oxygen deficient atmosphere.