Autopsy: 3 plant workers died from blast trauma

RALEIGH, N.C. - Three workers killed in a natural gas explosion at a Slim Jim factory in North Carolina were struck by debris or crushed when part of the building collapsed, an autopsy has determined.

Autopsy results were released for workers Barbara McLean Spears, 43, of Dunn, and Clayton residents Lewis Junior Watson, 33, and Rachel Mae Poston Pulley, 67, The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Friday. The three died from blunt force trauma in the June 9 explosion at the ConAgra plant in Garner, where nearly 40 others were injured.

McLean was partially buried beneath pieces of the ceiling, according to the reports. Watson's body was found under pieces of ceiling, pipes and light fixtures and Pulley had several head injuries, a shattered skull and a broken neck, the reports said.

Federal investigators said the explosion at the ConAgra plant in Garner was caused by a natural gas leak. The blast flattened half of the huge building where pickled meat snacks are produced.

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board said contractors installing a water heater apparently vented natural gas inside the building before the explosion. Officials said the workers were purging a gas line and the gas should have been directed outside.

The plant was closed for weeks while debris was cleaned up. Production was scheduled to resume Monday in the part of the plant that didn't collapse.

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