Worker dies in eastern Ohio oil facility explosion

SUMMERFIELD, Ohio (AP) — Authorities say a worker at an eastern Ohio oil well has died in an explosion at the facility.

Noble County Sheriff Stephen Hannum said in a statement today that 48-year-old Norman Butler of Virginia died in the accident Wednesday afternoon near the CONSOL Energy well pad, about 40 miles north of Marietta.

Authorities say the explosion occurred near an oil well head and caused a fire, which was contained but continued to burn today. Rescuers were also still on the scene late this morning attempting to recover Butler’s body from the site.

A spokeswoman with Blue Racer Midstream, which owns and operates the facility, says all production wells and pipelines at the site have been secured. She says the company will continue to work with authorities to investigate the accident.