Tennessee Plastics Factory Under Investigation After Floodingo
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Authorities in Tennessee have initiated an investigation into the company operating the Impact Plastics factory in Erwin, where the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene led to the disappearance of 11 workers as the nearby Nolichucky River surged with rainwater.
Floodwaters and Tragic Outcomes
As rain continued to pour, workers at Impact Plastics were reportedly instructed to remain on the job. Eyewitness accounts claim that some employees were not allowed to evacuate until it became dangerously late, with flooding quickly engulfing the facility. Emergency and rescue efforts were only initiated after the factory lost power and water inundated the parking lot.
Tragically, in the chaos, only five of the swept workers were rescued, and authorities have confirmed that two fatalities were victims of the flooding. Additional searches are ongoing for the four workers who remain unaccounted for.
Investigation and Claims of Negligence
Leslie Earhart, a spokesperson for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, shared that the agency, under local prosecutor direction, will scrutinize the handling of safety and evacuation protocols at Impact Plastics. District Attorney Steven R. Finney has raised concerns about possible criminal negligence linked to the tragic events that unfolded last Friday.
Accounts from Survivors
Survivors of the incident have shared harrowing accounts of their near-fatal experiences. Local resident Jacob Ingram, a factory employee, documented the rescue efforts on social media, expressing his gratitude for surviving the ordeal. Ingram and his colleagues waited for rescue as they were trapped amidst floating vehicles and rapidly escalating waters.
Some workers were fortunate enough to leave the factory, but others found themselves stranded on flooded roads. Ingram described the desperate moments as waters surged around them and a local hero in a 4×4 vehicle aided their escape from the chaos.
Company’s Response and Public Outcry
Impact Plastics has stated it actively monitored the weather and that employees were allowed to leave when conditions worsened. However, several workers strongly dispute these claims, asserting that management failed to timely evacuate the facility despite clear warnings of the flash floods.
With the investigation underway and numerous rescue efforts documented, the incident has triggered public outcry over worker safety protocols in hazardous conditions.
Helping the Victims’ Families
The fatalities have been confirmed as Mexican nationals, with family members reported to be raising funds through online campaigns to support funeral costs and other necessary expenses. Eulogies shared on these platforms highlight the community’s sorrow, with loved ones expressing their heartfelt tributes to the victims.
