Fracking death in North Dakota ruled accidental
BISMARCK - A Duluth, Minn., man who died at a hydraulic fracturing site Saturday died of chest and abdominal injuries when he was hit by oilfield equipment, the North Dakota Medical Examiner's Office said in a report issued Tuesday.
The report of death for Mike Krajewski, 49, who worked for Halliburton, ruled his death an accident caused by oilfield equipment that was dislodged by high pressure, striking Krajewski in the chest.
The accident occurred about 3:30 p.m. Saturday about 24 miles north of Watford City, N.D.
A team from the Occupational Health and Safety Administration began investigating at the site Tuesday, said Eric Brooks, area director for the Bismarck OSHA office.
A second man, Brad Hong, 55, Halliday, N.D., was injured in the fracking incident.
OSHA also is planning to investigate the site of an oilfield tank battery explosion northwest of Williston that injured two men Friday, but the fatality is taking first priority, Brooks said.
