http://www.oaoa.com/news/midland-49110- ... tment.html
A Midland bomb technician is in critical condition after an accident Thursday at the Midland Police Department Training Facility, 4500 FM 370, a Midland Police Department news release said.
Sgt. Brian Rackow, 40, was dismantling an explosive device about 11:05 a.m. when it detonated, causing numerous injuries to Rackow’s face, chest, both arms and legs, the release said.
Rackow’s condition was stabilized at Midland Memorial Hospital before he was airlifted to Lubbock University Medical Center, where he remained in critical condition Thursday evening.
Police spokesperson LeaAnn Brooks said no one else was in the room with Rackow at the time, and it wasn’t related to training. Brooks said Rackow was dismantling a bomb, but authorities didn’t know what type of bomb.
“We don’t know exactly what case he was working on,” Brooks said.
But Lt. Bernie Kraft with the training division told the Midland Reporter-Telegram that Rackow was removing some aluminum casing from an explosive in order to prepare it for a future training exercise.
Brooks said her office wasn’t confirming that was true, but acknowledged Kraft had said it.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms from Lubbock will investigate the incident, Brooks said.
Rackow, also a night-shift sergeant, has served with Midland police for 13 years, the release said. Rackow is married and has two children, according to the release.
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