Seven Workers Hospitalized by Toxic Spill in Santa Fe Springs
Seven workers were injured, one seriously, when a shipment of a highly toxic chemical that was being unloaded at a Santa Fe Springs refinery Thursday was inadvertently spilled, authorities said.
The accident at Golden West Refining Co., 13539 Foster Road, occurred when a valve on a tanker truck making a delivery of hydrofluoric acid was accidentally turned on before the connection to a tank at the plant had been completed, Santa Fe Springs Fire Department Battalion Chief Robert Wilson said.
Wilson said the toxic vapor cloud created by the small spill was quickly dissipated with water spray and posed no further danger.
The victims, suffering from burns and inhalation of the toxic fumes, were taken to nearby hospitals.
Bill Eldridge, 59, who suffered facial burns, was in serious but stable condition at La Mirada Hospital.
Three workers were admitted to Norwalk Community Hospital for observation. They are Jack Morales, 34; Phil Reid, 27, and Tom Kornoelje, 44.
Three others, including Clyde Gentzler, the truck driver, were treated for respiratory irritation and released.
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