Chester Lee Binegar, attempted to save Kevin M. Bates from suffocation, St. Marys, West Virginia, October 4, 1984. Bates, 22, was inside a natural gas well fracturing tank that contained 40 inches of water. A service rig operator shouted to Binegar, 24, service rig hand, and to a service rig tool pusher, and field superintendent that Bates was in trouble in the tank. When Binegar and the service rig tool pusher arrived at the tank, they saw the service rig operator inside, supporting Bates, who appeared to be unconscious. Binegar and the service rig tool pusher entered the tank and then they and the service rig operator were rendered unconscious by natural gas fumes. Two co-workers and the field superintendent removed Bates, the service rig operator, Binegar, and the service rig tool pusher from the tank. Bates recovered. Binegar was hospitalized and recovered. The service rig operator and service rig tool pusher were declared dead at the scene of drowning.
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