Wynnewood refinery employee dies of injuries after explosion and fire
A refinery employee injured after a fire in Wynnewood last Tuesday has died, according to his family.
Wes Foster, 43, of Stratford, died about 5:30 p.m. Friday in Plano, Texas, where he had been receiving extensive medical care after suffering serious injuries from an explosion at Wynnewood Refinery about 60 miles south of Oklahoma City.
“Him and his partner were working together near where the explosion occurred and was engulfed in flames,” wrote Kenzie Fisher, who organized an online fundraiser on behalf of Brook Baker, Foster’s daughter and Fisher’s cousin. “This is obviously a huge devastation to his family not only emotionally but also financially. Wes was working providing for his family when this accident happened.”
The fundraiser began last Tuesday as an attempt to help Baker; Foster’s wife, Lacey; and other family members cover unexpected medical expenses and transportation costs. Now, they are finalizing plans for Foster’s funeral, set to be held Thursday in Sulphur.
Medical professionals had hoped Foster could have surgery last Thursday, said Baker, but his condition was too severe. Third-degree burns covered 93% of Foster’s body, Fisher also wrote.
“The doctor said it was time to call family in to all say our goodbyes,” Baker wrote in a social media post early Friday afternoon. “As of now we ask that everyone give us space and time to try to navigate to what will become our new normal. Please keep my family in your prayers. We know it will be one day at a time, but we will get through this.”
Eli Warren, Foster’s colleague, also was seriously injured in the refinery explosion. He was scheduled to have major surgery, as well, but the latest update on his condition had not been announced Tuesday afternoon.
The explosion at the refinery occurred about 8:20 a.m. May 23, said Brandee Stephens, a spokeswoman for CVR Energy, the Texas-based company that owns the refinery. Company officials believe the fire started in the refinery’s gasoline hydrotreater, which is used to remove contaminants during the refining process.
The cause of the fire remains unidentified but a “thorough investigation” was being conducted, Stephens said. Spokespeople with CVR Energy did not immediately return requests for further comment Tuesday.
The Oklahoman previously reported several fires at the refinery between 2006 and 2012.
The Wynnewood Refinery’s 100 Year Celebration was originally scheduled to begin Friday evening in downtown Wynnewood, but has now been postponed.