5 Injured When California Oil Well Blows Out

Kern County, Calif., fire officials say five people were injured when an oil well blew out.

The well at Occidental Petroleum’s oil field just east of McKittrick was undergoing maintenance when it experienced an unexpected high-pressure release around 9:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15.

Kern County fire spokesman Sean Collins said it did not catch fire and no hazardous gases or oil were released. He says it’s not clear whether the blow out was caused by steam or a fluid.

The five workers were hurt while trying to exit the well. Collins says two of them were seriously injured and flown to a trauma center. Two others were transported by ambulance with less severe injuries while a fifth was treated at the scene.

All the injuries are considered non-life threatening.