LONGVIEW, Wash. —
On Tuesday, May 26, a chemical tank imploded at the Nippon Dynawave packaging plant in Longview, Washington, killing eleven people.
By Saturday, May 30, all eleven victims had been recovered and identified.
“When anything happens at the mills, we all know someone affected,” said Spencer Boudreau, the vigil organizer and former Longview mayor. “This is probably the worst job site disaster we have had here, ever.”
Here’s what we know about the victims.
Gilbert Bernal
The first person confirmed dead was beloved grandfather, Gilbert Bernal. A friend set up a GoFundMe for his family to pay for funeral expenses.
“He was a Godly man in every sense of the word,” the organizer, Todd Cornwell, wrote.
“Thank you so much to those who have donated to our family. Every donation is greatly appreciated and we appreciate our community coming together to help support my family during this time,” wrote his daughter, Geovana Bernal.
If you’d like to donate, you can do so by clicking here.
Jared Ammons
Jared left behind a wife, two kids, and one on the way.
“Jared was a loving husband, devoted father, cherished son, and caring brother. His loss has left an unimaginable hole in the hearts of everyone who knew him,” the organizer, Maddie Adams, shared.
If you’d like to donate, click here.
Dillon Miller
A Meal Train was set up for the family of Dillon Miller to help them through this difficult time.
“We are organizing a meal train to support Ana Soto and her three children during the heartbreaking loss of Dillon Miller following the Nippon tragedy. As Ana and her family navigate unimaginable grief, we hope to ease even a small part of the burden by helping with meals during this difficult time. If you are able, please consider signing up to provide a meal, gift card, or support for the family. Every act of kindness is deeply appreciated as they focus on healing and being together,” she shared.
If you’d like to contribute, click here.
John Forsberg
A GoFundMe was set up for the family of John Forsberg, a father of two.
The following message from his family was posted on the fundraiser:
“As many of you know, our family is navigating an unimaginable and deeply traumatic loss. Right now, our focus is simply making sure Zach and Margot are surrounded by love, support, stability, and the space they need to grieve the loss of their dad, John.
Creating something like this does not come naturally to us. We are very private people, and asking for help is far outside of our comfort zone. But as support continues to pour in, we also know it is important to create one trusted place for those asking how they can help directly support the kids during this time.
Any funds received will go toward immediate needs, memorial-related expenses, and helping support Zach and Margot as they navigate the difficult road ahead as both a young adult and a minor child processing an unexpected loss.
More than anything, we appreciate the incredible kindness, prayers, messages, and love already being shown to our family. It means more than we can possibly put into words.
We are also asking, gently, that people continue to give the kids privacy and space right now. If you would like to share memories, photos, or messages, please continue sending them directly to Janey and she will make sure they receive them when the time is appropriate."
If you’d like to donate, click here.
Braydon Finkas
Two fundraisers have been put together to help the family of Braydon Finkas, who leaves behind his wife, Kaitlyn. He was an electrician at the Nippon Mill. According to Rex Czuba, he was known for always pitching in to help, never turning down a request from a friend or neighbor.
“Braydon’s love for life was evident in everything he did—whether he was making his famous brisket, playing a round of golf, enjoying a game of cribbage, traveling with his wife Kaitlyn, or spending time with and supporting their beloved dogs. Braydon was a fixture at the local golf course or at the brewery, where he was always surrounded by friends, joking and laughing. His sense of humor and kindness touched everyone who knew him," Czuba shared on his GoFundMe. You can donate here.
In another fundraiser, Missy Catt shared the following:
“Braydon Finkas loves his family, Seahawks, traveling, hunting, halloween parties, and friends. Cooking for people was a huge love language. He helped at the Wahkiakum school for football games, cheer events and whenever called upon.”
Tyler and Brad Covington
Tyler Covington is described as a loving fiancé, devoted father, and the sole provider for his family. He leaves behind his fiancé, Kenzi, and their three children. According to the fundraiser, the Covingtons also lost another member of their family, Brad. An extended family member confirmed to KIRO 7 that Brad and Tyler are brothers.
“Anyone who knew him [Tyler] knew how hard he worked for his family and how much he loved Kenz and children. They were his entire world. Now, his family is left carrying the emotional pain of losing him and so much uncertainty.
We are asking for help to give this family a little bit of stability during the hardest time of their lives. Any donation, no matter the amount, will go directly toward supporting Kenz and children as they try to heal and rebuild after this devastating loss," wrote the organizer.
CJ Doran
“CJ, just 26 years old, went to work at the paper mill in Longview, and through a chemical explosion, the Lord called him home,” read a fundraiser set up to support his wife, Alisa.
The organizer writes, “In an instant, Alisa lost her husband, the spiritual leader of their family, the joy of their home, and the family provider. CJ was a selfless and deeply caring person who loved the Lord with all his heart and loved his family very much. This tragedy has left so many people grieving a heartbreaking loss that no one should have to endure.
More than anything, this fundraiser is about surrounding Alisa with love and support as she walks through the pain of losing her husband. The weight of grief after such a sudden tragedy is impossible to put into words, and the days ahead will be incredibly hard without CJ by her side. As everyone who loved CJ tries to process this devastating tragedy, this fundraiser is one way to help provide care and support so Alisa does not have to carry this burden alone."
You can find the fundraiser for Alisa here.
Dale Miller
Dale Miller’s sister, Sarah, has created a fundraiser to support their mother. In the fundraiser, Sarah says that Dale was one of the first two bodies pulled from the disaster zone. The family was told of Dale’s passing on Wednesday, May 27.
“While the union is covering all funeral and burial expenses are being covered. My Mom, Mary, has lost her oldest son and her housemate. He lives with her to help her with expenses and help do some repairs around the house. This is a huge hit to her emotionally and financially,” Sarah writes.
“Thank you all so much for the outpouring of support we have received. We love you all,” added Sarah.
On Saturday, May 30, the Cowlitz County Coroner confirmed Norman Barlow and Robert (Robb) Wilson were among those lost.
Robert (Robb) Wilson
Norman Barlow
“This is a horrific tragedy that has profoundly impacted our community,” said Dana Tucker, the Cowlitz County Coroner, speaking publicly about the incident for the first time.
The family of Norm Barlow, whose loved ones said was the final victim to be recovered, stood and listened from outside a metal fence. His daughter, Brooke Iverson, described the uncertainty surrounding Barlow’s recovery as brutal.
“It’s been difficult,” Iverson said. “I have four kids to go home to every day, and try to explain that they haven’t found his body yet.”
His partner, Patricia Kraff, said Barlow worked at the plant for less than three months and repeatedly expressed safety concerns.
“To know Norm was to know that he loved to work, teaching while he did. He was a father figure to many of the young people he worked with, taking them under his wing and sharing his knowledge. But his heart was his daughter Brooke and his grandkids Braelynn, Kolten, Maverick, and Jackson. They were Norm’s greatest gifts,” a fundraiser for his family reads. Click here if you’d like to donate.
The implosion
At approximately 7:18 a.m. Tuesday, the Longview Fire Department (LFD) responded to a hazardous material incident at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company.
According to fire officials, a tank containing a highly toxic chemical called white liquor ruptured. Images from the aftermath show flipped cars and a crushed vat.
Emergency officials said it is still not clear what caused the vat to fail.
About Nippon Dynaware Packaging Company
The Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company is a kraft pulp and paper mill and liquid packaging plant. The pulp and paper mill currently has roughly 550 employees, while the liquid packaging plant has about 450 employees, according to the Washington State Department of Ecology.
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