Fatal accident at Pasco Fertilizer Plant claims life of local worker

A 56-year-old father of 12 tragically lost his life on Friday while working inside a tanker truck at a fertilizer company in Pasco, Washington. Viktor Voloshin was involved in a routine cleaning operation at Two Rivers Terminal when the accident occurred.

According to Franklin County Fire District 3 Chief Mike Harris, the precise circumstances of how Voloshin ended up inside the tanker are still unclear. He was last captured by security cameras at approximately 4:15 p.m., using a hose to spray the inside of the tanker from a ladder. It was not until 45 minutes later that his absence was noted, and emergency services were alerted.

Rescuers, with assistance from the Pasco fire department, were able to recover Voloshin’s body from the tanker. There is speculation about the role that toxic gases emitted by the chemicals in the tanker may have played in his death, although this has not been confirmed as the cause.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office has ruled out foul play, and an ongoing investigation seeks to determine the exact sequence of events leading up to the tragedy. An autopsy is expected to be conducted later this week, as stated by Franklin County Coroner Curtis McGary.

In response to the incident, the community has rallied around Voloshin’s family. A GoFundMe page set up by Andrew Lavrentiev has drawn considerable support, reflecting on Voloshin’s life as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. “He was the best father we could ever ask for,” reads a family statement on the fundraising page. “He was always the friendliest person in the room.”

Source: Tri-City Herald