A male contractor was transported by Life Flight for serious burns from a flare-up of residual ethanol while using a power tool on the ethanol plant property. Around 3:30 PM on February 21, 2024, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call for a report of an individual injured in an “industrial accident” at Big River Resouces, located at 1100 SE 2nd Street in Galva, Illinois. Henry County Emergency Medical Dispatchers gathered information on the victim and relayed to the first responders that one person had suffered a significant burn injury. The Stark County Ambulance requested a medical helicopter be launched to expedite transporting the victim to a trauma center. The preliminary investigation by the Galva Police Department and the Henry County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) determined that a male contractor was using a power tool in an area on the property that was believed to be ethanol-free. However, residual ethanol ignited and caused thermal burns to the male contractor, who was the only person injured in the accident.
First responders provided advanced life support medical care while the Galva Fire Department established a landing zone on the property for Life Flight to land. The fire was extinguished by employees and contractors before the arrival of the Galva Fire Department. A small amount of ethanol was spilled but was quickly contained by facility officials.
The Galva Police Department was assisted by the Galva Fire Department, Stark County Ambulance Service, Bishop Hill Fire District, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, OSF Life Flight, and the Henry County Office of Emergency Management.
