The tragic death of a truck driver at the Olin/Winchester ammunition facility in East Alton, Illinois, is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The incident took place late Thursday afternoon, when Oscar “Zeke” Bettorf, 60, was driving a semi truck loaded with shotgun shell primers that exploded, resulting in his death. The accident occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. and was pronounced dead at the scene.
We took this video from FOX 2 St. Louis YouTube Channel.
The ATF, along with several other departments, including the East Alton Police, Illinois State Police Crime Scene Investigations, Secretary of State Police Bomb Squad, and the State Fire Marshal's Office, are conducting investigations into the incident. The Olin/Winchester ammunition facility is a leading manufacturer of ammunition for sporting, military, and law enforcement purposes. The facility has been in operation for over 100 years and has a long-standing reputation for producing high-quality ammunition.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety measures in place at the facility and the potential risks involved in the production of ammunition. The ATF is expected to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the explosion and to identify any safety concerns that need to be addressed.
The community has expressed its condolences to the family and friends of Oscar “Zeke” Bettorf and has called for increased safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The incident serves as a reminder of the significance of workplace safety and the need for employers to prioritize the health and safety of their employees.
Get highlights and special offers twice a month
We use a tool to capture how users interact with our websites so we can analyze and improve the user experience. Clicking “Accept” allows us to use this tool when you visit our websites. For more information, read our Privacy Center article on Cookies and tracking.
