by Alan McArthur
Landmark reporter

A 23-year old Iraq war veteran died on Friday, May 23 at the Iatan power plant when a large crane toppled in an accident first reported on The Landmark’s web site at www.plattecountylandmark.com

Terry Eugene Stimpson, of Peculiar, was killed in the accident which occurred around 7:30 a.m. on Friday. Three other workers at the construction site were also injured and taken to local hospitals.

Officials have released the identity of one of the injured workers as being John Micheals, who was employed by a subcontractor called Aerotek. As of Tuesday no other names had been released.

After the accident, all construction at the site was halted while it is investigated.

Stimpson was working for the general contractor Alstom as a boilermaker and was a member of the Boilermakers Local 83.

According to Brent Davis, unit one project manager, the 800-ton crane had been at the site for about a year and was going to be installing a selective catalytic reduction unit at the facility.

The accident occurred at the construction of Iatan II, a second power plant being constructed at the site in northern Platte County. Iatan I has been in operation at the location for many years.

According to a statement released by Katie McDonald, KCP&L spokesperson the accident is currently being investigated by OSHA.

“While it would be premature to speculate as to the exact reason for the accident, it appears the crane had sent its boom up to check the wind speed at the site and, having determined that the wind speed would preclude safe operations, was in the process of lowering the boom when the incident occurred.”

Sgt. Stimpson was an active member of the Army Reserves. He is also the father of two young children. Stimpson served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004 as a member of the transportation crew of the 383 Training Battalion. His unit was out of Leavenworth, Ks.

Patriot Guard is requested to stand an Avenue of Flags during the funeral and provide escort to the interment. His service will be held in Chillicothe later this week.

The new power plant north of Weston was the site of another accident in May of 2007 when two workers were killed when a high-pressure water line burst at the facility. Ronald Jones, Liberty, and Thomas McCool, Leavenworth, were killed in that accident.

KCP&L has its headquarters in Kansas City, Mo. and is one of the largest power companies in the Midwest region. KCP&L is owned by Great Plains Energy also headquartered in Kansas City, Mo.