Chopper 5 above the Intrepid Potash plant in Grand County.
GRAND COUNTY, Utah — On Saturday, Grand County Sheriff’s office and EMS, along with the Moab Valley Fire and San Juan County Sheriff’s department reported that crews were responding to reports of an explosion near the Intrepid Potash plant on Highway 279 and Mine Site Road.
San Juan County Sheriff’s office says that three men were electrocuted when the industrial machinery they were using touched a power line. Officials say Russell Helquist and Matthew Johnston, both of Moab, died at the scene. A third victim, Arthur Secrest, was found unconscious and transported to University of Utah hospital in critical condition.
Intrepid is a fertilizer manufacturer based in Denver. In a statement to KSL, the company has said it has suspended operations at the plant pending an investigation. The company also operates mines in Carlsbad, New Mexico, and Wendover, Utah.