McCook man hospitalized after propane tank explosion

McCOOK, Neb. — A McCook man is hospitalized in Kearney with serious injuries following a propane tank explosion Monday afternoon.

Sheriff Kevin Darling said the man appeared to be attempting to convert an empty propane tank into a smoker when the explosion occurred.

Despite wearing a respirator and taking the precaution of using water inside the tank, the water apparently was insufficient to displace all the vapors and a cutting torch touched off the explosion.

There was a delay in finding the victim because callers didn’t know exactly where the explosion had occurred.

The original caller contacted neighbors, who responded to find the victim, who is the 24-year-old son of the neighbors.

The sheriff said he would not release the name of the victim or his condition until released by the family.

First responders were called to the scene on the south edge of McCook on U.S. 83 at 5:13 p.m.

Authorities confirmed that one individual was taken to Community Hospital with serious injuries and then transferred by fixed-wing aircraft to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.