MATTAWA, Wash. — Officials with the Grant Public Utility District say six employees were in an explosion at Priest Rapids Dam on the Columbia River on Thursday afternoon.
Utility district spokesman Thomas Stredwick says the employees were injured in a possible electrical explosion at the dam near Mattawa.
The six had various levels of injuries. Some were flown to area hospitals and others transported by ambulance for treatment.
Officials reported three patients at Harborview Medical Center Thursday night - one was in satisfactory condition and two other in critical condition. Two more patients were expected.
On Friday, officials with Harborview said they expected the two victims in most severe condition to remain in the ICU for at least a few more days.
According to hospital officials, the two patients most seriously injured were being assisted by a breathing apparatus.
On Sunday morning, a male patient who had been in satisfactory condition was discharged from Harborview.
A second patient was released from Harborview on Sunday evening. Three remained.
One is critical in intensive care and the other has improved from critical to serious condition in intensive care. Two other patients remain satisfactory.
Multiple agencies have responded to the incident including the Hanford Fire Department.
Officials say the structure of the dam is stable and no one down the river is at risk.
KIRO
