ERWIN, Tenn. (WVLT/Gray News) - A plastics factory in Tennessee is under fire after some employees were trapped and killed there during flooding brought on by Hurricane Helene.
One Impact Plastics employee — Jacob Ingram — said lives could have been saved had employees been allowed to leave the facility sooner.
“I didn’t hear anyone say ‘leave’ or nothing like that. I actually asked one of the higher ups,” Ingram said. “They told me ‘No, not yet.’ They have to ask someone before we was able to leave, even though it was already above the doors and the cars and everything else.”
Ingram said he was swept away by floodwaters Friday, having to climb on top of a tractor-trailer to get to higher ground. That’s when he was rescued by a helicopter.
The worker said he and his fellow employees were together that day when Helene’s waters came through.
At least two of those employees were killed. Another six, and a contractor, are still missing, according to Impact Plastics.
The company released a statement following the tragedy. Its representatives said the company monitored weather conditions, dismissing employees when the facility lost power and water began to cover the parking lot.
Ingram said that isn’t what happened.
“No. The plant lost power, and we were still told not to go home or leave,” he told WVLT News. “We were still there 15 to 20 minutes after the plant lost power.”
The company said some employees left immediately, but others stayed behind for unknown reasons.
“When water began to cover the parking lot and the adjacent service road, and the plant lost power, employees were dismissed by management to return to their homes in time for them to escape the industrial park,” the company said in part in its statement. ”At no time were employees told that they would be fired if they left the facility. For employees who were non-English speaking, bilingual employees were among the group of managers who delivered the message.”
The sun sets over a flooded road and a collapsed building in Steinhatchee, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. (AP Photo/Kate Payne(AP) Brooke Hiers stands in front of where her home used to sit in Horseshoe Beach, Fla., Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. She and her husband had just rebuilt the home after Hurricane Idalia hit in August, 2023, before Hurricane Helene blew the house off its pilings and floated it into the neighbor's yard next door. (AP Photo/Kate Payne)(AP) Brooke Hiers surveys the damage done to her home, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in Horseshoe Beach, Fla., in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Hiers and her husband rebuilt the home in the wake of Hurricane Idalia, which washed ashore in August, 2023, only to see it destroyed by another storm 13 months later. (AP Photo/Kate Payne)(AP) La vicepresidenta Kamala Harris, candidata presidencial demócrata, saluda antes de una reunión informativa en el Centro de Operaciones de Emergencia de Augusta mientras visita las zonas afectadas por el huracán Helene, en Augusta, Georgia, el miércoles 2 de octubre de 2024. (AP Foto/Carolyn Kaster)(Carolyn Kaster | AP) Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris greets people who were impacted by Hurricane Helene in Augusta, Ga., Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, as from left, Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., FEMA deputy direct Erik Hooks and Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson watch. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)(AP) Homes are seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Chimney Rock Village, N.C.(AP Photo/Mike Stewart) Vice President Kamala Harris came to Augusta along with U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff to tour the damage left by Hurricane Helene and to meet with local officials.(WRDW) Debris is strewn on the lake in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Lake Lure, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)(AP) President Joe Biden and Gov. Roy Cooper, D-N.C., greet first responders after touring areas impacted by Hurricane Helene, at the ariport in Greenville, S.C., Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)(AP) People carry bags of fresh water after filling up at a distribution site in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Asheville, N.C. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)(AP) FILE - Gerardo Hernandez Juarez stares at what is left of his family's destroyed home, Oct. 1, 2024, in Hendersonville, N.C., in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. (AP Photo/Brittany Peterson, File)(AP) A destroyed mobile home and vehicles lay scattered across muddy land, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Hendersonville, N.C., in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. (AP Photo/Brittany Peterson)(AP) A destroyed mobile home and vehicles lay scattered across muddy land, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Hendersonville, N.C., in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. (AP Photo/Brittany Peterson)(AP) Freddie Pell stands in his art gallery in downtown Boone, N.C., that was flooded when Tropical Storm Helene passed over western North Carolina, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Makiya Seminera)(AP) Bricks lie scattered from the destruction and flooding of Tropical Storm Helene at an outdoor seating area in downtown Boone, N.C., on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Makiya Seminera)(AP) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump walks outside the Chez What furniture store as he visits Valdosta, Ga., a town impacted by Hurricane Helene, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)(AP) FILE - A stop sign is barely visible in floodwaters of a parking lot after torrential rain from Hurricane Helene, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Morganton, N.C.(AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek, File) A person pushes a wheelbarrow and trash can as clean up in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene begins Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Hot Springs, N.C. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)(AP) A person carries a chainsaw as cleanup begins in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Hot Springs, N.C. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)(AP) Len Frisbee dumps a wheelbarrow of dirt as he helps with clean up in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Hot Springs, N.C. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)(AP) A Madison County sheriff's vehicle passes damaged buildings along Bridge Street in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Hot Springs, N.C. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)(AP) Vehicles and debris that were caught in a flash flood from Hurricane Helene rest on the side of tae road near the Swannanoa River, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Swannanoa, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)(AP) Sarah Calloway enters her restaurant to assess the damage left in the wake of Hurricane Helene Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Hot Springs, N.C. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)(AP) Homes and vehicles that were damaged in a flash flood from Hurricane Helene lie on the side of a road near the Swannanoa River, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Swannanoa, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)(AP) A search and rescue dog and handler searches for victims in deep mud in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Swannanoa, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)(AP) Water is seen outside the banks of the Swannanoa river in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Swannanoa, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)(AP) Debris is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in Asheville, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)(AP) A gas natural gas tank lies with other debris on a train bridge in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in Asheville, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)(AP) Employees Linda Bandy, left, and Carissa Sheehan clean up International Moulding frame shop damaged by flood water from Hurricane Helene on North Green Street, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in Morganton, N.C. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)(AP) Debris is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in Asheville, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)(AP) Debris is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in Asheville, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)(AP) One of several stranded cars is seen at a flooded apartment complex after Hurricane Helene passed the area on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Ron Harris)(Ron Harris | AP) People ride in the back of a pickup truck on a street left covered in deep mud in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Marshall, N.C. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)(AP) Train tracks washed out during Hurricane Helene run along the French Broad River, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Marshall, N.C. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)(AP) Ben Phillips scoops mud out a window of his house left in the wake of Hurricane Helene, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Marshall, N.C. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)(AP) Eva Markowitz stands covered in mud left by Hurricane Helene as she works to clean up Zadie's Market and Deli Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Marshall, N.C. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)(AP) People ride in the back of a pickup truck on a mud-covered street left in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Marshall, N.C. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)(AP) Ben Phillips, left, and his wife Becca Phillips scrape mud out of the living room of their home left in the wake of Hurricane Helene, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Marshall, N.C. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)(AP) An aerial view of flood-damaged Unicoi County Hospital in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Erwin, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)(AP) An aerial view of flood damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Erwin, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)(AP) Damaged to one of the White family's homes that was destroyed by Hurricane Helene is seen, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 in Morganton, N.C. The adjacent Catawba River flooded due to torrential rains destroying seven of the family's nine homes on the property. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)(AP) Cindy White looks over the devastation inside her home caused by Hurricane Helene, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 in Morganton, N.C. The adjacent Catawba River flooded due to the torrential rains destroying the seven of family's nine homes on the property. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)(AP) A damaged 100-year-old home is seen after an Oak tree landed on the home after Hurricane Helene moved through the area, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Valdosta, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)(AP) Vehicles move slowly around trees that have fallen after Hurricane Helene, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Valdosta, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)(AP) Guests at the Magic Kingdom break out ponchos at Cinderella Castle as bands of weather from Hurricane Helene move through Walt Disney World in Bay Lake, Fla., Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. All four of Disney's Florida theme parks remained open Thursday as the storm passed to the west in the Gulf of Mexico. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP)(AP) Vehicles move slowly around trees that have fallen after of Hurricane Helene moved through the area, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Valdosta, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)(AP) Jamir Lewis wades through floodwaters with his two daughters, Nylah and Aria, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 in Crystal River, Fla. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP)(AP) A boat rests on a street after being relocated during flooding caused by Hurricane Helene Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Hudson, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)(AP) A damaged 100-year-old home is seen after an Oak tree landed on the home after Hurricane Helene moved through the area, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Valdosta, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)(AP) Union Cathederal church is seen after of Hurricane Helene moved through the area on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Valdosta, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)(AP) Darren Archer works on tying down a cover over a boat named the Susan D. docked in St. Marks, Fla. on Thursday Sept. 26, 2024. Archer, who works for the St. Marks Seafood company, plans to ride out Hurricane Helene on a boat.(Kate Payne | AP Photo/Kate Payne) Jose Gonzales and his son Jadin Gonzales, 14, fill sand bags ahead of Hurricane Helene, expected to make landfall Thursday evening, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in Clyattville, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)(AP) Cindy Waymon, of Tallahassee sits inside a hurricane evacuation shelter at Fairview Middle School, ahead of Hurricane Helene, expected to make landfall here today, in Leon County, Fla., Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)(AP) Vera Kelly, of Tallahassee, lies on a cot after evacuating to a hurricane shelter with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, at Fairview Middle School, ahead of Hurricane Helene, expected to make landfall here today, in Leon County, Fla., Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)(AP) Over 260 Mississippi Power crewmen are heading to Florida's Big Bend area to help with Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.(Mississippi Power Association) A shopper passes by empty shelves in the bread section of a Walmart, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024 in Tallahassee, Fla. Grocery stores and gas stations were seeing heavy traffic in advance of Hurricane Helene, expected to make landfall Thursday night in the Big Bend area.(AP Photo/Phil Sears) Bob Danzey, a resident, walks at the waters edge ahead of Hurricane Helene, expected to make landfall here today, in Shell Point Beach, Fla., Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)(AP) Bo Manausa , right, and his friend Josh Simmons pull a boat out of the water ahead of Hurricane Helene, expected to make landfall Thursday evening, in Alligator Point, Fla., Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024.(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Jerry McCullen, top of ladder left, and Carson Baze, top of ladder right, put plywood over the windows of a house ahead of Hurricane Helene, expected to make landfall Thursday evening, in Alligator Point, Fla., Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024.(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Dave McCurley boards up the windows to his home in advance of Tropical Storm Helene, expected to make landfall as a hurricane, in Ochlockonee Bay, Fla., Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024.(Gerald Herbert | AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Dave McCurley boards up the windows to his home in advance of Tropical Storm Helene, expected to make landfall as a hurricane, in Ochlockonee Bay, Fla., Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)(AP) Paulette McLin takes in the scene outside their summer home ahead of Hurricane Helene, expected to make landfall Thursday evening, in Alligator Point, Fla., Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024.(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, second from right, speaks to linemen before a news conference, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at the Tampa Electric Company offices in Tampa, Fla., as Tropical Storm Helene, expected to become a hurricane, moves north along Mexico’s coast toward the U.S.(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) Impact Plastics said those who died and are missing were on top of a truck when the truck toppled over in the flooding.
Ron Kell, the owner of nearby R&R Manufacturing, said he went to Impact Plastics to help the rescue effort after he sent his own employees home.
“I was yelling at them to come; she was talking to her boss,” Kell said, remembering the day.
Impact Plastics has since said it’s organizing a recovery center for employees. One thing the company hasn’t done, Ingram said, is reach out.
“I haven’t heard a thing,” he said. “They haven’t reached out to make sure we are OK, nothing.”
Impact Plastics said senior management was the last to leave the building, adding that the company reached out to emergency responders to help rescue people.
“We are devastated by the tragic loss of great employees,” said Gerald O’Connor, who founded the company in Erwin in 1987, the company said in a statement. “Those who are missing or deceased, and their families are in our thoughts and prayers.”
The two confirmed dead at the factory are Mexican citizens, Lisa Sherman-Nikolaus, executive director at Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, said to the Associated Press.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation confirmed they are investigating allegations involving Impact Plastics.
As of Wednesday, more than 160 people have lost their lives in the storm.
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