May 19, 2010
For immediate release
Contact: City Law Director Les Landen, 513-425-7993, cell 513-267-8458
Today, experts identified the source of the nitrogen gas that evacuated oxygen from the worksite where City of
Middletown worker Jabin Lakes died and three fire fighters were injured on May 7. Leaks have been detected in
nitrogen lines running from Air Products & Chemicals to AK Steel Corporation. These lines are being carefully excavated
at this time.
A hydro-excavation process is being used to dig out the lines. This process utilizes water rather than heavy equipment so
as not to damage the lines further or damage any of the other underground pipelines or electrical lines at the excavation
site. Options for repair are currently being evaluated. Upon completion of the excavation and examination of the
nitrogen lines necessary repairs will be undertaken. Once the repairs are finalized, testing will begin to verify that all
leaks have been found and remediated. Further testing will be conducted to assure that the source of nitrogen has been
fully identified and resolved.
Yankee Road, from Lafayette to Pershing, will remain closed to traffic.
