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U.S. Atty: No Criminal Charges In Fatal Grain Elevator Blast

By Brian Hagen

11/10/2016

(KAIR)--Just days following the 5th year anniversary of the Atchison grain elevator explosion that claimed six lives, the U.S. Attorney's Office says there will be no criminal charges.

That message is delivered in a statement released Thursday by U.S. Attorney Tom Beall.

Beall says his office has closed the inquiry into the explosion, determining that “there is not sufficient evidence to support criminal charges against the owner, Bartlett Grain Company.

Beall clarifies that his announcement “does not dismiss pending enforcement actions by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.”

The explosion happened on the night of October 29, 2011, killing John Burke, Chad Roberts, Ryan Federinko, Travis Keil, Derrick Klahr and Curtis Field.

The company, following an OSHA investigation launched after the fatal blast, was cited for several infractions: five willful violations and eight serious violations of workplace safety rules.

Bartlett Grain has maintained the incident was a tragic accident, denying any wrongdoing.

Four of the victims' families filed wrongful death lawsuits against the company.

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