McCook, NE – A McCook man was seriously injured from a propane explosion Monday afternoon.
According to the Red Willow County Sheriff’s Office the incident happened Monday afternoon near 5:15 p.m. Deputies responded to a reported explosion south of McCook along Highway 83. Neighbors had reported hearing the explosion. It was later determined that explosion had been caused by a propane tank.
The injured individual, Thatcher Skolout, was in the process of converting a propane tank into a smoker. Skolout had taken precautions to use water in the tank to displace the vapors, but it was apparently insufficient to displace all vapors. While attempting to cut the tank, the vapors were ignited by the cutter torch thus causing the explosion. RWCSO says Skolout was wearing a respirator at the time and took other precautions.
Skolout was transported to McCook Community Hospital, then to CHI Good Samaritan in Kearney in critical condition.
Red Willow County Sheriff’s Office says that Skolouts wife, Shelby Skolouts, shared with them Tuesday that Thatcher is in ICU in Kearney where he is expected to remain sedated at least over the next five days as medical personnel monitor and work to reduce swelling on his brain.
