Oil well explosion kills 2, injures 5 in Illinois

[October 30, 2008]  CROSSVILLE (AP) -- Authorities say an oil well explosion in southern Illinois killed two people and injured five others.

Medical helicopters flew four of the injured victims from the scene of the explosion Wednesday morning west of Crossville.

Anita Sullivan of the White County Sheriff's Department says Mason Well Servicing was working to cement a finished well when the explosion occurred.

The fire was under control by the afternoon. Messages left for the company and the county coroner were not immediately returned.

Crossville is about 30 miles northwest of Evansville, Ind.

[Associated Press]

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