3 workers killed in West Texas oil field rig explosion

RANKIN, Texas (AP) – An oil field rig has exploded in West Texas, killing three workers.

Investigator Dusty Kilgore of the Upton County Sheriff’s Office said the accident happened Tuesday morning near Rankin, about 40 miles south of Midland.

Kilgore says a pulling unit crew was at the site when the explosion happened. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration website describes a pulling unit as a well-servicing outfit.

Kilgore says one other worker at the site was not hurt in the explosion. He didn’t release the names of those killed.

The well is owned by Parsley Energy of Midland. Company spokeswoman Lisa Elliott says the workers who died were employed by Mason Well Service Ltd. of Odessa, an independent contractor.

A message left with Mason wasn’t immediately returned Wednesday.