MISC INSIDE INFO: An AA 777 from JFK to London was diverted to Shannon a couple days ago due to two disruptive passengers that the Cpt felt were a danger to the aircraft. They were kicked off and after a delay of 2 hrs, the plane left for London again. No more details about the subjects was released.
Four die in plastics plant blast
From Jim Paul in Illiopolis, Illinois
25apr04
AN explosion at a plastics manufacturing plant has jolted a US town, killing four workers, critically injuring two others and forcing the evacuation of the entire community.
Six other workers suffered less serious injuries in the blast, which demolished up to 75 per cent of the Formosa Plastics Plant in Illiopolis and rattled the windows and walls of houses well over 1.5km away.
"I'm not a war veteran, but that is the loudest explosion I've ever heard in my life," said Illiopolis Mayor Allen Brickey, who lives less than three kilometres from the plant.
Dozens of firefighters were today still working to put out fires at the plant, about 40 kilometres east of Springfield.
Workers were mixing vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate when an explosion occurred, followed by one or two subsequent blasts, Sangamon County Sheriff Neil Williamson said. Eighteen workers were in the plant at the time.
Four injured workers were admitted to Springfield's Memorial Medical Centre. Hospital spokesman Ed McDowall said two were in critical condition, one was in serious condition and one was in fair condition.
Four others were treated for smoke inhalation at other hospitals.
Illiopolis' roughly 1000 residents were evacuated after the explosion because of hazardous fumes created by burning chemicals. Evacuees were sheltered in malls, stores and hotels.
Plant manager Roe Vadas said the cause of the explosion was unknown. Investigators from the US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board and the plant's corporate parent, Formosa Plastics Corp USA, were travelling to the scene.
The plant, with about 135 workers, makes PVC resins that are used in vinyl flooring, traffic cones and carpet backing.
A 30km section of Interstate 72 was closed for about six hours after the explosion, said Patti Thompson, a spokeswoman with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.
http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,9385767%255E1702,00.html
Hmmmmmm wonder why this stuff always happens on AA. If it was DAL I could find out. Will ask on Mon. anyway airline people love to gossip.