Indian Gaming > Blast at Coeur d'Alene Tribe's casino kills two workers

June 30, 2006

Blast at Coeur d'Alene Tribe's casino kills two workers

Two employees died after an explosion and fire at the casino owned by the Coeur d'Alene Tribe of Idaho.

Donald S. Hanson, 56, and Richard E. Stokes, 49, were killed when a cargo container exploded and caused a fire. Authorities are investigating how the blast occurred.

Hanson and Stokes were longtime employees at the casino. Hanson was named employee of the year in 2005.

"We are family here," acting casino CEO Laura Stensgar-Mokry said in a press release quoted by The Spokesman-Review. "We've lost two men who were highly valuable employees. More than that, we have lost two highly valued friends and loved ones."

The tribe has canceled the casino's Fourth of July celebrations out of respect for the victims.

Get the Story:
Explosion at casino kills two workers (The Spokesman Review 6/30)
2 Idaho Casino Workers Killed in Blast (AP 6/29)