Bethlehem Steel Corporation
For Immediate Release

BURNS HARBOR, Ind., February 2, 2001 - An employee of Bethlehem Steel Corporation's Burns Harbor Division and another non-Bethlehem contract employee were fatally injured this afternoon at about 12:50 p.m. in an accident and fire at the Division's 160-inch plate mill. Both individuals were pronounced dead at the scene.

The Burns Harbor employee was identified as Dan Kado, 54, of Hobart, Ind., who worked in the Division's general repair department.

In addition, four Burns Harbor employees were also injured in the accident and were transported to Porter Memorial Hospital in Valparaiso, Ind., for further treatment. One of those Burns Harbor employees was transported by air to the University of Chicago Hospital for treatment. Another individual who works for Rural Metro, the contractor providing fire emergency services for the Burns Harbor Division, was transported to Porter Memorial Hospital.

The name of the deceased employee of the contractual firm has not been released.

Production at the 160-inch plate mill was stopped following the accident and is expected to resume shortly.

IOSHA has been informed of the accident, and a President's Investigation Committee, which consists of representatives of the United Steelworkers of America and Burns Harbor Division management, has been convened to investigate the accident. Responding to the accident were emergency crews (fire and ambulance) from the town of Burns Harbor and the Division's internal plant protection forces. The Porter County, Ind., coroner's office and the sheriff's department are also assisting with the investigation.

Further details will be released when available.

Return to News Releases