Fatal blast at Green Plains ethanol plant leaves one dead and four injured.

An unfortunate incident occurred at the Green Plains Ethanol Plant on Monday, resulting in the death of one employee and injuries to another employee and three contractors. The explosion took place during routine maintenance and repairs on a whole stillage tank at the Wood River plant. Fortunately, the facility was not operational at the time of the explosion.

“We are deeply saddened to report that a Green Plains employee was fatally injured at our facility in Wood River, Nebraska, on April 17, 2023,” said a Green Plains spokesperson. The company expressed their condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the employee and confirmed that the injured parties were receiving medical attention. Furthermore, Green Plains pledged to cooperate with the authorities and conduct a thorough investigation.

According to Hall County Emergency Manager Jon Rosenlund, a 911 call was made just before 2:45 p.m. reporting the explosion. Wood River Fire and EMS, along with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, quickly dispatched to the scene. Our reporter arrived on scene around 3:30 p.m. and witnessed the sheriff’s office still working on the case.

It is worth noting that this is not the first incident to take place at the Wood River plant. A fire broke out at the same facility on Friday in a grain leg, raising questions about whether this incident could have been prevented.

The incident at the Green Plains Ethanol Plant serves as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety in industrial and manufacturing settings. Companies must take into account every risk and ensure that preventive measures are strictly enforced to protect the well-being of their employees and communities. Investigators will now conduct a thorough examination to determine the root cause of the accident, and what steps should be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.