REEVES COUNTY, Texas (DDN) – The Reeves County Sheriff’s Office has revealed fresh details regarding the oil field accident that killed one person and injured two others on Monday night.

According to the RCSO, around 9:00 p.m. on January 27, deputies were dispatched to the Permian Resources-Guthrie State D 132H well site in Reeves County, which is located approximately eight miles south on HWY 285 near County Rd 114, where Propetro Services was conducting fracking operations. The rupture of a pressured device at the frac site killed 45-year-old Edward Rodriguez and injured two others.

According to investigators, Ricardo Zamora, 35, was brought to a local hospital before being flown to Medical Center Hospital in Odessa for treatment following an arm injury. The site supervisor, Johnny Sanchez, 36, was also brought to Reeves Regional Hospital in Pecos for minor injuries.

After the victims were treated, the Sheriff’s Office guarded the scene and sent drones to inspect the surrounding area for any other injured people who were not visible at the time of the occurrence. ESD offered immediate medical attention to those injured.

Propetro halted fracking activities and shut down the area to make it as safe as possible for the follow-up inquiry. During fracking operations, the risk zone was limited to the pressurized frac lines within the operating area. Reeves County Emergency control assisted with scene control, and Lone Star Hazmat was called in to assure the safety of the area and supply safety equipment for the inquiry.

Investigators with the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division discovered that the event was caused by a pressure line holding about 9,000 psi that separated from a fracturing machine. Investigators discovered a pipe that had been detached during the incident and had valves attached at both ends.

No foul play was detected during the investigation; nevertheless, OSHA is conducting additional investigations. Sam Lujan, Justice of the Peace Precinct 4, demanded an autopsy on the deceased.

“The Reeves County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend our most sincere condolences to the family of the deceased and pray for a speedy recovery of the injured,” according to a statement from the agency.

Reference: Victims identified in Reeves Co fracking accident that left one dead and two injured