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Headline: OSHA Investigating a Fatal Accident in Tyler County

By Staff | Jan 13, 2017

MIDDLEBOURNE — A man, who was injured Thursday at a U.S. Well Service site in Tyler County, has died, according to the Tyler County Sheriff’s Department.

Prentice Cline, area director for OSHA, said Hunter D. Osborn, 19, of Jane Lew, W.Va., who sustained crushing injuries from the rear of a tractor trailer, was taken via medical helicopter to Ruby Memorial Hospital where he later died. Cline said the accident was reported at about 7:23 a.m. Thursday by workers at the well pad site located outside Middlebourne.

Employers are required to report all work-related fatalities within eight hours. OSHA is investigating.

“We’re trying to figure out and see what caused the accident and if there was any violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act,” Cline said.

The sheriff’s department was assisted by Middlebourne EMS as well as Alma, Shirley, Middlebourne and Pennsboro volunteer fire departments. The sheriff’s department was notified Thursday by the state Medical Examiner’s office that Osborn had succumbed to his injuries.

The sheriff’s department said the incident remains under investigation.

Based out of Houston, Texas, U.S. Well Services operates in the Marcellus and Utica shale regions of Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, according to the company’s website. The company provides high-pressure, hydraulic fracturing services in unconventional oil and natural gas basins, according to the company’s website.

“U.S. Well Services is currently investigating a very unfortunate accident that occurred yesterday morning which resulted in the death of one of our employees,” said Dean Fullerton, human resources director for U.S. Well Service. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of one our co-workers, and our thoughts and prayers are with the employee’s family and friends during this most difficult time. As the investigation is on-going, we are not at liberty to say anything further details about the incident at this time.”

U.S. Well Service’s fleets operate on a 24-hour basis at many active shale and unconventional natural gas basins across the country, according to the company’s website. The company started in the Mountain State in Jane Lew before it expanded in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Several fleets of trucks remain based in Jane Lew.