A Kamas girl died Wednesday morning at Primary Children's Medical Center after being buried in a salt pile during a school field trip Tuesday.
Marci Russell, 11, was critically injured while she and 96 other sixth-graders from South Summit Elementary toured the Akzo Nobel Salt plant near Grantsville. Russell and several other students were climbing on a 30-foot salt mound when a conveyor belt activated and apparently opened up an air pocket under the mound.Catherine Bolton, a Akzo Nobel spokeswoman in Pennsylvania, said a plant employee spotted Russell and kept her from being completely buried until she could be dug free of the pile. It took about 20 minutes for rescuers to free the girl.
Tooele County Sheriff Frank Scharmann said Wednesday an investigation continues. No foul play is suspected, "so I don't know if we'll even come up with anything."
Scharmann said students had toured the plant on field trips - and played on the salt mounds - since 1991. "This is the first time there has been any kind of accident."
"I don't think it was a safe situation," said Jana Pyper, whose son also played on the salt mound at the time of the accident. "If there was that kind of danger, then why were (the children) there?"
Bolton said field trips at the plant will likely be suspended, at least for a while. "It's been pretty hard on our people, too," she said Tuesday. "Everyone is praying for the little girl and her family."
Concern also blankets Russell's small, Summit County community. "We're all pulling together and waiting," said Kamas resident Tammy Rideout Tuesday. "It's very sad. We're hoping things work out for the girl and her family."
Counselors were scheduled to visit the elementary school Wednesday to help students and teachers deal with the tragedy.
The accident comes at a volatile time for Akzo Nobel Salt. Plant officials recently announced a reduction of 43 jobs when the company moves its packing operation to Chicago.