White Lake business identifies employee who died after propane explosion

WHITE LAKE, N.C. (WECT) - A woman died as a result of injuries suffered in a propane explosion Monday, according to a county official.

According to a news release from the White Lake Police Department, an officer on stationary patrol at 2038 White Lake Dr. witnessed employee Pam Elliott and a customer of Camp Clearwater Campground get severely burned while attempting to fill a propane cylinder at the business’ propane filling station just before 4:30 p.m.

Elliot, a 58-year-old White Lake resident, was transported via Cape Fear Valley Life Link Helicopter for her injuries and later died. A 49-year-old Riegelwood man and his dog were treated and released.

“The officer said in their report they heard a ‘loud hissing’ noise and saw what they believed to be propane gas spraying in the air creating what appeared to be ‘white smoke.’” the news release states. “The officer said a large explosion then occurred. The officer immediately radioed for assistance and began to render aid to the victims.”

Clearwater Gifts & Essentials posted the following statement attributed to “The Presley Family & Staff”:

“The world has lost a wonderful woman, but Heaven has gained her! Our beloved friend, Pam has gone home to the Lord - she passed away on Tuesday evening. Pam was a wonderful person, who was always ready to lend a helping hand. You could find Mrs. Pam smiling and waving at the front gate at Camp Clearwater. A life so wonderfully lived deserves to be wonderfully remembered. Service to be announced.”

The following agencies responded to the incident: White Lake Police Department, White Lake Fire Department, Bladen County Sheriff’s Office, Bladen County Emergency Medical Services, Bladen County Fire Marshalls Office, and Cape Fear Valley Life Link.

The N.C. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Division has opened an inspection into the fatality, according to a department representative. The representative said this was the only information the department can provide at this time.

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