DRILLING RIG ACCIDENT LEAVES THREE INJURED

DRILLING RIG ACCIDENT LEAVES THREE INJURED

Three men were taken to the hospital Friday evening following a drilling rig collapse in Upshur County, according to a Gilmer Fire Department official.

The men, whose names have not yet been released, were working on a rig owned by Dallas-based energy company Matador Resources off Highway 271 and FM 2088.

Officials said a derrick collapsed on the Hurber Johnson oil well rig. When the rig fell it hit the workers beneath.

Two workers were taken to East Texas Medical Center and the third was taken to Good Sheppard Medical Center in Longview.

The accident is under investigation by the Upshur County Sherriff’s Department. Officials said they will be releasing more information on the accident on Monday.

OSHA will also be looking into the incident.

Calls to Matador Resources Company were not returned.

©Tyler Morning Telegraph 2007

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