Authorities ID man who died from ammonia leak

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ROSEMOUNT, Minn. – Police have identified two Oklahoma men, one of whom died and the other who was critically injured, after an anhydrous ammonia accident at an industrial plant here.

Robert Larry Shue, 31, of Kingfisher, Okla., died while trying to fix a connection problem which led to the leak. And Roy Thomas Taylor, 56, of Moore, Okla., was injured and is hospitalized.

Rosemount Police Chief Gary Kalstabakken said rescue crews responded to the anhydrous ammonia leak in CF Industries’ semi-tank loader area at the plant about 6 p.m. Monday. Both victims were truckers who were loading their tankers when the incident occurred.

Rosemount police say one of the men noticed a connection problem and attempted to correct it. The break then released the ammonia.

The ammonia initially prevented anyone from tending to the two victims, but eventually two officers were able to pull Taylor about 35 feet so he could be treated. Taylor remains in critical condition at Regions Hospital in St. Paul.

A company statement said the released ammonia does not present a hazard to the public.

Shue died at the scene. The Dakota County Medical Examiner’s office was on scene Monday night to investigate the cause of death.

Kalstabakken said OSHA was on scene Tuesday morning to begin its investigation.

The Rosemount plant receives ammonia via barge and railroad and ships it to customers by truck, according to the company’s Web site.

Emily Zimmer is a reporter at the Rosemount (Minn.) Town Pages, which is owned by Forum Communications Co.

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