Cause of fatal accident at Duke unknown
Published: Thu, May. 15, 2008 01:31PM
Modified Thu, May. 15, 2008 01:33PM
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closeDURHAM -- Duke University officials said today they still do not know what caused a steam line to rupture and kill an employee in a science building on campus Wednesday.
Officials of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration were investigating the accident that killed Rayford Cofer, 63, a master steamfitter.
Cofer was working in the mechanical room in the basement of the Levine Science Research Center on Research Drive when the line burst. A Franklinton resident, Cofer began working with Duke's Facilities Management Department in 2001.
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There were no other injuries. All of the lab animals at the research center were unharmed, officials said.
"We are confident that the building is safe," Kemel Dawkins, Duke's vice president for campus services, said at a news briefing this afternoon.
University officials are looking into safety concerns raised by Cofer's family, he said.
The science center reopened at 9:30 a.m. and will close at 5 p.m. today. It will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.
Power has been restored to the building, though there was no steam or hot water.
stan.chambers@newsobserver.com or (919) 956-2426
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