Contractor found dead at Dow’s Oyster Creek plant

A 46-year-old Alvin man died Tuesday at the Dow Chemical Co. plant in Oyster Creek, officials with the Brazoria County Sheriff ’s Office said.

The man, whose identity was not released, was found unconscious about 1:20 a.m. at the facility, the sheriff’s office said in a statement. The man was given CPR and taken to Brazosport Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

It was not immediately clear what killed the man, whose body was sent to the Galveston County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Medical examiner spokesman John Florence said the case is still pending. He said the office had asked for a blood toxicology report, which could determine whether there were any chemicals in his body. But that could take weeks, he said.

Dow spokeswoman Trish Thompson said that the man was a contractor who worked for Irvingbased engineering and construction company Fluor Corp.

She said she did not know how long he had been working at Dow’s facility. She said Dow is launching its own investigation into the incident.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues during this extremely difficult time,” Dow said in an emailed statement.

Fluor spokesman Brett Turner declined to identify the man.

He said the company was still trying to figure out what the victim’s exact role was at the Oyster Creek site and how long he had been working there.

“We are fully cooperating with all parties and ask that you keep the family, friends and colleagues in your thoughts and prayers during this extremely difficult time,” Fluor said in an emailed statement.

Brazoria County Sheriff ’s Office officials did not respond to calls seeking further information late Tuesday afternoon.