New Details Released in Corpus Christi Refinery Death

New reports indicate fall as the cause of death of a worker who was found dead at a CITGO refinery in Corpus Christi Monday night.

Sources: Man Died after 120 Foot Fall

According to Reuters, sources familiar with the refinery’s operations said the man fell from a height of about 120 feet as he was working on a Fluidic Catalytic Cracking Unit, suffering serious injuries and multiple broken bones.

The employee was found unconscious near the operating unit by another employee around 9 pm. Responders rushed the man to a nearby hospital, but he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

CITGO and authorities have not identified the man, nor commented on the cause of death.

Investigations into the accident continue.

Oil and Gas Industry Injury Statistics

• According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA), 823 oil and gas workers were killed on the job between 2003 and 2010.
• The rate of on the job deaths in the oil and gas industry is seven times greater than the national average for all other industries.
• Among the leading causes of death in the oil and gas industry are vehicle accidents, falls, fires, and chemical exposure.