Stephanus,
Here's the update:
4 Dead, 48 Injured At Medina Fairgrounds
Steam Engine Explodes
Colleen Seitz, Staff Writer
July 30, 2001, 8:44 a.m. EDT
MEDINA, Ohio -- Four people are dead and 48 others were injured in an explosion at the Medina County Fairgrounds Sunday.
Fairgrounds Explosion
Officials say that an antique steam engine on a tractor blew up without warning. Shrapnel was found up to 100 feet away from the blast site.
"It shook everything. I've never heard anything like it in my life," Medina resident Bill Remington said.
Officials say that the investigation will be complicated because the owners and operators of the equipment were killed in the blast. The owners, Cliff Kovacic, 46, and William Kovacic, 27, were killed, along with Alan Kimble, 46, and Dennis Jungbluth, 58. They were all Medina residents. (My husband knows the two 46 year olds.)
The injured include two police officers and several children. All of the injured were taken to six local hospitals -- Medina General, Akron's Children's Hospital, Akron City Hospital, Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital, Lodi Community Hospital and Cleveland MetroHealth Medical Center. Fifteen people were treated and released.
A mass casualty plan was activated at the fairgrounds Sunday. Crews and helicopters from as far away as Pittsburgh and Columbus came to help.
The victims suffered severe burns from the engine's hot oil and steam and cuts from flying debris.
The Medina County Fair will open at 9 a.m. The tractor was being set up for an exhibit at the fair when the explosion occurred.
Investigators say that it could take days or weeks before they know what happened. They are looking into a possible steam leak as the cause.
Sheriff Neil Hassinger says that no charges are expected to be filed in connection with the blast.
Last year, dozens of people came down with E.coli at the fair after drinking the water.
This is the link…. http://www.newsnet5.com/news/stories/news-89455920010729-180722.html
