Worker Injured and Extricated at Gowan Milling Chemical Mixer

A man was injured and became entrapped in a chemical mixer at Gowan Milling in the area of E. County Eighth Street at about 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 4. Rural Metro Fire reported that the location handles regulated materials, prompting an expansive safety response when the incident occurred.

Rural Metro Fire said a "coordinated response involving fire, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and hazardous materials teams were initiated" because of the facility's operations. The Yuma Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team/Technical Response Team and medical personnel from Onvida Health also responded to the scene.

On arrival, crews took standard containment measures. Rural Metro said, "Crews established incident command, secured the area, and implemented safety protocols to protect both responders and facility personnel." Responders isolated power to affected areas, conducted air monitoring and implemented other precautions to address potential exposure concerns. Rural Metro added that "technical rescue resources were utilized to assist with a complex extrication."

Emergency personnel treated the injured man on site before transporting him to a hospital for further care. Rural Metro reported that "The incident was contained within the facility." Officials said the event did not spread beyond the plant and that the situation was managed under hazardous materials protocols designed to limit offsite impact.

The incident underscores the risks associated with industrial facilities that handle regulated chemicals and highlights the layered emergency response available in Yuma County. For neighbors and commuters near E. County Eighth Street, the prompt establishment of incident command and air monitoring helped minimize immediate public safety concerns. Facility operations and staffing were affected while responders secured the scene and completed extrication and assessment procedures.

An investigation into the circumstances that led to the entrapment and injury is ongoing. Authorities have not released details about the worker’s condition or the specific substances involved. Residents with continuing concerns about potential exposure or local safety may contact local emergency services for further guidance. The response on Jan. 4 demonstrated coordination among fire, hazardous materials, medical and law enforcement teams to protect workers and the community while the investigation continues.