As Minnesota Power fuels technician Joe Fredrickson undergoes a painful and arduous recovery at the Essentia-Miller Dwan burn unit in Duluth, questions are being sought as to what caused the accident at the Taconite Harbor Energy Center in Schroeder that burned nearly 50 percent of his body.
Fredrickson, 41, of Silver Bay, was working alone on Monday, October 22 when a coalbunker he was tending exploded. Fredrickson was burned over large portions of his back, legs and arms and has undergone a series of skin grafts to repair the damage.
Minnesota Power spokesperson Amy Rutledge said the company is still looking for reasons to explain the cause of the accident, and added, “We have also engaged a third party, the Minnesota State Fire Marshal, to perform an independent investigation.”
Both reports will be studied before a final report is issued by Minnesota Power, “and that will take a month, maybe more,” before it is completed, said Rutledge.
Even then, Rutledge acknowledged that an answer might never be found.
According to the Caring Bridge website established by his family, Fredrickson, who had been hospitalized for 36 days at the time of this posting, will be at Miller Dwan for another 8 to 10 weeks as he heals and undergoes rehabilitation.
To follow Frederickson’s progress, visit the CaringBridge website set up for him at: www.caringbridge.org/visit/josephfredrickson1
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