Two Westar Energy employees in Kansas have died after suffering severe burns at the utility’s largest plant for generating electricity.
The company said the plant was shut down following the accident.
Westar spokeswoman Gina Penzig confirmed that the two workers died Sunday night at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas.
The workers were flown by helicopter to the Medical Center after the accident late Sunday morning at the Jeffrey Energy Center, about 30 miles northwest of Topeka.
The company identified the workers as Operations Supervisors Craig Burchett of Overbrook and Jesse Henson of Manhattan but did not provide additional details about them. Westar said equipment with high-pressure steam behind it apparently failed.
Westar said the plant’s three coal-fired generating units are shut down while the “full circumstances” are reviewed.
Westar is the largest electric utility in Kansas. Jeffrey has three coal-fired units and accounts for nearly 26 percent of the utility’s generating capacity.
Topics Kansas
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