Search still underway for missing contractor at chemical plant

UPDATE 2/6/23 @ 4:10 p.m.

MASON COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- The search resumed Monday morning for a contractor who fell into a pond at the ICL Gallipolis Ferry facility.

The man was reported missing Friday evening.

An ICL spokesperson released the following statement Monday afternoon:

“We have no new details to share about this ongoing search and do not want to make any assumptions about the contractor. The rescue mission, which is being led by local authorities, is expected to resume tomorrow morning, when additional search equipment will be available. We continue to assist in their efforts and to provide support.”

Keep checking the WSAZ app for the latest.

UPDATE 2/5/23 @ 11:30 p.m.

MASON COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ)- It’s been three days since a contractor working at a West Virginia chemical plant went missing.

Mason County Sheriff Corey Miller said crews are searching for a man who fell into a pond at the ICL Gallipolis Ferry facility.

Local authorities resumed search efforts at 9 a.m. Sunday morning, according to an ICL spokesperson. That search was scheduled to resume Monday morning.

Friday evening, the man was reported missing “...when the contractor could not be located on company property.”

“We have no new details to share about this ongoing search and do not want to make any assumptions. The rescue mission, which is being led by local authorities, is ongoing and included a comprehensive search of our plant and the surrounding area. We continue to assist in their efforts and to provide support. We have also been in contact with (...) the contractor the consultant works for.”

An ICL spokesperson said the Gallipolis Ferry facility company manufactures flame retardant chemicals to serve a variety of markets, including:

Urethane foam
Hydraulic fluids
Engineering resins

No information about the contractor’s identity has been released.

This is a developing story.

Keep checking the WSAZ app.

MASON COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -A search is underway for a missing contractor working at a West Virginia chemical plant, according to an ICL spokesperson.

Mason County Sheriff Corey Miller said crews are searching for a man who fell into a pond at the ICL Gallipolis Ferry facility.

A missing consultant working for a contract company was first reported missing Friday evening at the ICL Gallipolis Ferry facility, according to an ICL spokesperson.

ICL said in a statement, “on-site security notified local authorities when the contractor could not be located on company property.”

“Unfortunately, as of early morning on Saturday, February 4, 2023, there had been no change in the situation. We continue to work with our team, the consultant’s employer, and local authorities to find this individual and safely bring him home,” an ICL spokesperson said.

ICL Specialty Fertilizers is a global leader in the production of sustainable nutrition and plant protection products for the Horticulture, Specialty Agriculture, Turf and Landscape markets. Some plants produce specialty fertilizers, bromine, and flame retardant, according to the ICL website.

No information regarding the consultant’s identity has been released.

This is a developing story.

Keep checking the WSAZ app.