Authorities accompany bodies of workers killed in Longview mill explosion back to their families

The tragic events at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. in Cowlitz County have left a somber mark on the community. A freeway procession led by the Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office aimed to bring closure to the families of the nine victims who tragically lost their lives in the industrial chemical tank implosion that occurred at the Longview paper mill on May 26.

Community members gathered to pay their respects as the remains of the victims were escorted back home. Among the victims were Gilbert Bernal, Tyler Covington, Brad Covington, Robert Wilson, Dale Miller, Jared Ammons, Braydon Finkas, Clinton Doran, John Forsberg, Norman Barlow, and Dillon Miller. The procession was a moment of remembrance and reflection for those who lost their lives.

The procession was a solemn affair, with the Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office leading the way in bringing the remains of the victims back to their families. The procession began once the coroner entered Lewis County, with the Washington State Patrol joining in to honor the fallen workers. It was a poignant moment that allowed the community to come together and show their support for those who were affected by the tragedy.

While two of the victims, Dillon Miller and Gilbert Bernal, were not part of the procession, their cases were being handled separately. The other nine victims were brought to the Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office in Longview. Grieving families were given the opportunity to be reunited with their loved ones and share a moment of silence in their memory.

As the procession made its way through the community, community members lined the streets, waving American flags in a show of solidarity and support. Among the crowd was Jacob Howe, who attended the procession to show his support for the grieving families. Having gone to school with Tyler and Brad Covington, Howe felt a personal connection to the tragedy and wanted to offer his condolences to the families affected.

The transportation of the victims to their respective funeral homes is expected to begin in the coming week. While the community continues to grieve the loss of these eleven individuals, the procession was a somber reminder of the importance of coming together in times of tragedy. The community stood united to honor the memory of those who lost their lives in the Nippon Dynawave paper mill implosion.