3 Killed in Florida Power Plant Accident

A third man died from injuries suffered in a Florida power plant accident that happened when molten material poured onto workers as they tried to unplug a blocked tank.

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s officials told The Associated Press in an email that Antonio Navarrete died July 5.

Tampa Electric Company officials said the accident happened June 29 at a power plant just southeast of downtown Tampa. It occurred at the plant’s coal-fired boiler, while workers were performing routine maintenance on the slag tank at the plant southeast of Tampa. Slag is a byproduct created when coal is burned for electricity.

The company said workers were trying to clear a blockage when hot slag came rushing out onto them.

In addition to the three who died, three others were hospitalized.