1 dead, 3 hurt in Tecumseh (Neb) explosion
By Liz McCue and Jay Withrow / World-Herald staff writer
One man died and three others were injured after an anhydrous ammonia explosion at a grain elevator in Tecumseh, Neb., authorities said.
The dead man was identified Friday by his sister as John Bennett, 63, of rural Greenwood, Neb.
Bennett died at the Johnson County Hospital about 10:45 p.m. Thursday. The blast had been reported at 6 p.m.
Tecumseh Fire and Rescue took Bennett and another employee to the hospital.
Bennett’s sister, Tina Schwahn, said her older brother had been a truck driver at the Midwest Farmers Cooperative elevator for over a decade.
Schwahn, assistant choral director at Omaha’s Millard South High School, said she was told of Bennett’s death by a friend of his. Schwahn said her family has not heard more details about the cause of the explosion.
John Bennett took the job, she said, because he and his wife intended to take road trips together. She died 10 years ago.
“I know they’re together again,” Schwahn said.
Bennett has two adult daughters, in Ashland and Lincoln.
He was born in Lincoln and lived on an acreage between Greenwood and Ashland, where he repaired antique tractors.
Schwahn said her brother loved anything mechanical. Bennett was part of the Camp Creek Threshers Association and showed his tractors in area parades.
“His sense of humor, his deep belly laugh,” Schwahn said. “We’ll miss that.”
Two other people were treated for injuries that were not considered life-threatening. One was a Johnson County sheriff’s deputy.
Authorities did not release the names or medical conditions of anyone injured in the accident.
Contact the writer: Liz McCue
liz.mccue@live.com
Anyone understand how this occurs?
By Liz McCue and Jay Withrow / World-Herald staff writer
One man died and three others were injured after an anhydrous ammonia explosion at a grain elevator in Tecumseh, Neb., authorities said.
The dead man was identified Friday by his sister as John Bennett, 63, of rural Greenwood, Neb.
Bennett died at the Johnson County Hospital about 10:45 p.m. Thursday. The blast had been reported at 6 p.m.
Tecumseh Fire and Rescue took Bennett and another employee to the hospital.
Bennett’s sister, Tina Schwahn, said her older brother had been a truck driver at the Midwest Farmers Cooperative elevator for over a decade.
Schwahn, assistant choral director at Omaha’s Millard South High School, said she was told of Bennett’s death by a friend of his. Schwahn said her family has not heard more details about the cause of the explosion.
John Bennett took the job, she said, because he and his wife intended to take road trips together. She died 10 years ago.
“I know they’re together again,” Schwahn said.
Bennett has two adult daughters, in Ashland and Lincoln.
He was born in Lincoln and lived on an acreage between Greenwood and Ashland, where he repaired antique tractors.
Schwahn said her brother loved anything mechanical. Bennett was part of the Camp Creek Threshers Association and showed his tractors in area parades.
“His sense of humor, his deep belly laugh,” Schwahn said. “We’ll miss that.”
Two other people were treated for injuries that were not considered life-threatening. One was a Johnson County sheriff’s deputy.
Authorities did not release the names or medical conditions of anyone injured in the accident.
Contact the writer: Liz McCue
liz.mccue@live.com
Anyone understand how this occurs?