Steam explosion at Avon Automotive kills 2

ERJ staff report (DS)

Rudnik, Czech Republic -- Avon Automotive has suffered an explosion in a steam reservoir resulting in two deaths at its plant in Rudnik, Czech Republic. Avon Automotive said its senior European management team is on their way out to the site and no-one was available for comment. The company said it would issue a statement later today, though the factory is closed in the aftermath of the tragedy.

According to multiple local reports, the explosion happened early on Monday morning at the company's rubber component products factory in Rudnik, to the north of the Czech Republic.

Business Week quoted Police spokesman Jiri Prouza saying a truck was tipped over and killed a woman standing behind it. She was in her early 30s. Another man reportedly died during surgery in a hospital in the regional capital of Hradec Kralove later in the day. Two others were seriously injured, while a further 13 suffered minor injuries, after the roof of the boiler room collapsed, according to reports quoting Ladislav Zabka, the director of the medical rescue services in the region.

The plant employs 380 and makes coolant hoses and rubber mouldings for the automotive industry. It is owned by Avon Automotive Holdings Inc. which is owned by Crystal Capital of Boston. Avon Rubber PLC owned the unit for some years, but in August 2006 sold it to US venture capitalists. Avon Automotive restructured its finances in February 2009 and gained new owners in the process.

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www.avonauto.com

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