GRDA Officials: 2 Workers Trapped After Explosion At Kerr Dam

Thursday, May 13th 2021, 10:13 pm

By: News On 6, Jordan Tidwell

MAYES COUNTY, Oklahoma –

Rescue efforts are underway at Kerr Dam on Lake Hudson to rescue two men who are trapped inside the dam after an explosion.

GRDA said, from the top of the dam, the two men are more than 80 feet down.

GRDA said it happened just before 6 p.m. Thursday when 3 contractors were doing routine work, testing the bedrock underneath the dam. They said while they were working, some kind of explosion happened and trapped two men. They said one man was able to get out but two remain trapped.

Justin Alberty with GRDA said they are working on a plan to get in and rescue the men. They tell News On 6 they’re not able to get to the men through the top of the dam due to the explosion, but they are working to get to them another way. Officials said they are trying to go through an inspection galley on the side of dam.

GRDA has confirmed there are no structural issues with the dam and they will not be releasing any water.

“As far as another explosion or structural problems, we don’t feel that there are. We feel that the scene is stable. We don’t know their conditions fully but we feel that the scene is stable,” Alberty said.

They are still working to determine the cause of the explosion.

The contractor who was able to get out after the explosion is being checked out at a local hospital.

Rescue crews and swift water rescue teams from GRDA and surrounding towns and counties are on scene.

SkyNews6 is on the scene and captured video of crews working to rescue the men.

This is a developing story. News On 6 has crews on the way.

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