A steam pipe burst at High Desert State Prison just before 11 am yesterday, sending one stationary engineer and an inmate to the hospital.
Initial reports indicate that for an unknown reason, the pipe from the boiler machine burst, billowing scalding hot steam and filling the room with boiling water. The force of the pipe bursting blew the engineer back 8 feet, causing severe burns and extensive bodily injury. Unconfirmed reports say the unnamed inmate had to drag the unidentified officer from the boiling water to safety before using his radio to call in the incident.
Both were life-flighted to an out-of-the-area burn center for care. It is unknown the status of their condition at this time. More information will be shared as it becomes available.
