One dead, at least 12 injured after the explosion at the Texas Hospital – CBS News 8 – San Diego, CA News Station

A dead, at least 12 injured after the explosion at Coryell Memorial Hospital
A hospital spokesman who was in a meeting at the time described the blast as a "terrific explosion" and that "it was as if a bomb had exploded."

Author: KCEN Staff
Posted: 2:59 PM CDT Jun 26, 2018
Updated: 21:35 CDT June 26, 2018

GATESVILLE, Texas – A person died and 12 people were injured after an explosion at Coryell Memorial Hospital on Tuesday afternoon.

Officials said the explosion occurred after 14 hours. in a new construction zone at the hospital and that the victims were construction workers.

A hospital spokesman who was in a meeting at the time described the blast as a "terrific explosion" and that "it was as if a bomb had exploded."

Robert Harrell, Coryell County Emergency Management Coordinator, said people were burned.

"There were serious injuries," Harrell said.

Injured workers were transported to hospitals in the area, including Baylor Scott and White Hospital in Temple and Hillcrest in Waco.

A spokesman for Baylor Scott and White said the Temple has received nine injured patients and they expect the majority of patients will be transferred to facilities in Austin and San Antonio for further treatment. Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Hillcrest has received four patients, the spokesman said. Several burn victims were also sent to Parkland Hospital in Dallas.

According to the STAR flight from Travis County, four critically injured patients at Baylor Scott & White Temple were transported to Dell Seton at the University of Texas.

Authorities believe that the explosion is a construction accident as part of a project to expand to the hospital and that no criminal act is suspected.

"I understand that it may have been a gas line, perhaps an activity in what caused an explosion," said David Byrom, CEO of the Coryell Memorial Health System.

He also stated that no hospital staff member or patients had been injured by the blast.

Coryell Memorial Healthcare System offers a range of health services including a 25-bed licensed hospital, a Level IV emergency room, more than 30 primary and specialized care providers, an advanced wound care center, a health center outpatient rehabilitation, term care and inpatient rehabilitation, assisted living and independent apartments.

Part of the hospital and most of the city 's electrical energy are out but have been restored.

Patients in a nearby nursing home were evacuated to nearby churches and medical facilities due to the breakdown.

The Coryell Community Church has announced that it will house approximately 20 dementia patients at The Oaks at Coryell Memorial. These patients will be transferred to other assisted living areas by the end of the night.

The Coryell Memorial Hospital will be closed for the remainder of the day and it has not been determined when the facility will be reopened.

The Fire Marshal's crews are investigating while Atmos Energy crews are checking the gas lines in the hospital after what officials call a catastrophic event.

While the blast is considered an accident, officials said that there was no reason to believe otherwise, but they exclude anything at this point in time. ;investigation.

"Because of what is happening in the country and in the world, nothing can still be ruled out," said Coryell County Judge John Firth.