The State - News from May 16, 1989

An oil rig exploded in flames, critically injuring one worker, Kern County authorities said. The explosion was at a PET Productions rig 20 miles southwest of Bakersfield near Interstate 5, county fire officials said. The worker, Gary Trent, suffered second-degree burns over 35% of his body and third-degree burns to his face and hands and was undergoing treatment at San Joaquin Community Hospital in Bakersfield. Eight companies of firefighters were able to shut off the fuel feeding the fire and bring the blaze under control. Cause of the explosion, which sent up a column of dense black smoke that could be seen from miles, was under investigation.