One of the five people hospitalized after an explosion and fire at a natural gas well site north of Cochrane remains in ICU, according to a recent update from one of their family members.
Jon McIntosh was working on the well site operated by HWN Energy Ltd. on Sept. 30 when there was an explosion, sending him and four other workers to the hospital.
“Jon's family would like to thank everyone for their generosity. Jon is still in the ICU, it will be a long road to recovery. Hold your loved ones close,” stated an Oct. 9 update from his family on his GoFundMe page.
McIntosh was previously sedated and intubated with 2nd and 3rd degree burns to many places on his body from the accident, read an earlier update on Oct. 2.
Two of the workers were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, while three sustained life-threatening injuries, an RCMP spokesperson confirmed. It's unclear how the other workers are currently doing.
While McIntosh is being treated in Calgary, his family lives in Manitoba. The GoFundMe page was set up to raise money for his family to be close to him during his recovery. As of Oct. 10, the page had raised over $18,000.
“Anyone who has had the absolute pleasure of knowing Jon, knows he is selfless, giving, caring, a soul like no other, and the most obvious comedic man there is. Everyone wants to see him get back to his bubbly self and hear more of his laughter and jokes,” the page states.
According to RCMP Cpl. Gina Slaney, the five workers, members of a contracting crew drilling on a lease site north of Cochrane, hit a gas pocket that triggered a large explosion.
According to media reports, the fire from the explosion was expected to burn for at least a week, but the area is isolated and no evacuation is required.
HWN Energy Ltd. confirmed in an email that the five injured were company contractors.
"We understand the concerns of the local community, and we want to assure the public that we are taking every possible measure to manage this incident effectively," the company's email stated. The statement also said that, as a precautionary measure, the company evacuated non-essential personnel from the immediate area and established an exclusion zone around the site.
According to the company statement, the exact cause of the incident wasn't yet known. It said the company has mobilized experts and specialized equipment to restore control of the well while protecting the public and environment.
*With notes from Riley Stovka, Rocky View Weekly
