Victim of Struthers blast dies

Staff report

struthers

Mayor Terry Stocker called it a sad day for the community after hearing of Gary Wilson’s death Thursday.

“The whole town is saddened by this,” Stocker said.

Wilson, one of the two men severely burned in an explosion at the Struthers wastewater treatment plant March 1, died about 3 p.m., according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office.

Wilson, who was an assistant maintenance man at the plant, was with lead maintenance man Ken Stiver when the room they were working in filled with methane gas.

They suffered second- and third-degree burns over 95 percent of their bodies after the gas was ignited by a spark as the men were working on wiring in the plant’s gas-compressor room.

After being flown by medical helicopter from the scene, they have been at UPMC Mercy Hospital’s burn unit since the accident, which the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation still is investigating.

Stiver remains hospitalized, the mayor confirmed.

Stocker described Wilson as a great community and family man.

“He’d volunteer for things, not just for the city, but for whatever you asked him to do,” he said.

Stocker had visited the two victims several times. His last visit was Tuesday.

“The community has really rallied behind them,” he said.

He said the families of both men were grateful for the community’s support.

“It really keeps their hopes up knowing people are thinking of them,” Stocker said. “He’s going to be sadly missed by the community.”