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Head Injury Caused Worker's Death At Gas Plant

The Lincoln County coroner has determined that head trauma caused a worker's death at a natural gas processing plant in southwestern Wyoming last week. 

County Corner Michael Richins says 36-year-old Michael Smuin was thrown into a cement structure at the Williams plant in Opal and died instantly from a cranial fracture. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the incident, including what caused Smuin to be lifted off his feet. Richins found burns on the body, that he said were likely caused by a ruptured pipe.  

"It is just a tragedy and we need to be good neighbors and help this poor woman with a little child to raise now without a father," Richins said.

Smuin lived in Kemmerer with his wife and young child. The processing plant in Opal is back online after a brief shutdown following the incident. 

Email: lpaterson@insideenergy.org; leighpaterson@rmpbs.org
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