Dec 31, 2019

1 person still hospitalized after Kan. aircraft plant blast

Posted Dec 31, 2019 1:00 AM
Damage from the explosion photo courtesy KWCH
Damage from the explosion photo courtesy KWCH

WICHITA, KAN. (AP) — One of the 15 people injured in an explosion at the Beechcraft aircraft manufacturing facility in Wichita remains hospitalized.

KWCH-TV reports that a spokesperson for Wesley Medical Center said Monday that the injured patient's condition has improved from serious to fair and the patient could be cleared to go home in the next day or two.

A spokesperson for Ascension Via Christi said everyone injured in the explosion who received treatment at its St. Francis hospital has been released.

Authorities said the explosion Friday morning happened when a 3-inch  liquid nitrogen line ruptured. Part of the building collapsed.

A spokesperson for Beechcraft's parent company, Textron Aviation, said it continues to assess the damage to the building. Authorities have yet to identify a cause for the rupture.