Kalispell man dies in oil-rig accident
The Associated Press and The Daily Inter Lake | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 12 years, 10 months AGO
A young Kalispell man died Thursday afternoon after an accident at an oil-drilling rig in western North Dakota.
Kyle Warren Winter was 22.
The initial report from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration says Winter was crushed by a set of power tongs — equipment used to handle pipe going in and out of well holes. The incident occurred on Pioneer Rig No. 74 north of Watford City, N.D.
The Williston Herald reported that Winter initially was transported to the McKenzie County Hospital, then went into cardiac arrest during an air ambulance flight to the Bismarck Trauma Center. The flight returned to the county hospital in Watford City, where Winter was pronounced dead.
The Associated Press listed Winter as an employee of Heller Casing Service Inc.
Winter attended Flathead High School.
In 2007, he was named most improved defensive player on the Flathead Braves football team and in 2008, Winter appeared in a photo in the Daily Inter Lake along with 19 other students after taking part in the State Leadership Conference for Business Professionals of America.
A memorial service is planned at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 11, at Easthaven Baptist Church north of Kalispell.
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