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Westar identifies 2 workers who died of severe burns

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POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY– Two Westar Energy employees died Sunday night from injuries at Jeffrey Energy Center.

Operations supervisors Craig Burchett, of Overbrook, and Jesse Henson, of Manhattan, were critically injured when a piece of equipment with high pressure steam behind it apparently failed, according to a media release from Westar.

“Our Westar employees work very closely together and form strong bonds,” said John Bridson, Westar’s senior vice president of generation. “All of us who worked with Craig and Jesse are grieving and thinking of their families as we cope with this loss.”

The incident at the energy center happened about 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Burchett and Henson were transported by helicopter to the University of Kansas Medical Center, where they were treated for severe burns.

Jeffrey Energy Center, north of St. Marys, is Westar’s largest power plant with three generating units. All three units are shut down while the full circumstances of the incident are reviewed. The company will resume operations at the plant when it can safely do so.

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POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY — Two workers severely burned in an accident at the Westar Jeffery Energy Center have died, according to Westar media relations manager Gina Penzig.

The accident occurred just after 11 a.m. Sunday at the facility in the 2500 Block of Jeffrey Road near St Marys in Pottawatomie County.

A helicopter transported the two workers to the University of Kansas Hospital. Immediate family members were notified Sunday. Names of the workers have not been released.

The circumstances of the incident are under review. Westar released no additional details.

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POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY — Two people were injured just after 11:30 a.m. Sunday at the Westar Jeffrey Energy facility in the 2500 Block of Jeffrey Road near St Marys in Pottawatomie County.

 According to Westar media relations manager Gina Penzig, the workers were severely burned  and transported by helicopter to the University of Kansas Hospital. Immediate family members have been notified.

The circumstances of the incident are under review. Westar released no additional details.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY —Authorities are investigating an accident with injuries at the Westar Energy facility in the 2500 Block of Jeffrey Road near St. Marys, Kansas in Pottawatomie County.

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Westar media relations manager Gina Penzig was working to get details.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

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