Contract workers with Union Pacific Railroad had just finished replacing the railroad bridge and were removing riprap rock from Deep Branch, a tributary of the Illinois River, when they accidentally ruptured an Oklahoma Gas and Electric (OG&E) gas line.
Dana Tracy, Rural Fire District No. One fire chief, said the fire department received the call at 9:50 a.m. Sequoyah County deputies, and Gore and Vian Police officers closed the highway at Gore Landing Road, east of the stream and Moonshine Road, west of the stream, to traffic. Railroad officials also stopped all train traffic. Tracy than notified OG&E in Muskogee to shut off the line.
H.D. Fisher, railroad foreman, said his dig permits dated, 10-22-04 and 5-23-05, showed the gas line to be abandoned.
"Workers with OG&E arrived in about 45 minutes and in 15 minutes had the gas line shut off," Tracy said.
Officials let the gas dissipate before reopening the highway at 12:15 p.m., Tracy said.
"The leak cause no damage to the surrounding environment," Steve Murray, OG&E operation manager, said.
"It was a touchy situation, but everybody worked well together," Tracy said.
