[StBernard] Coroner: Refinery Death Due To Enlarged Heart

[Westley Annis]

Coroner: Refinery Death Due To Enlarged Heart
Toxicology Test Results Pending
POSTED: 5:27 pm CDT October 8, 2010

CHALMETTE, La. -- The coroner in St. Bernard Parish ruled Friday that the
death of a man working an incident at a local refinery was likely due to an
enlarged heart.

The initial determination on cause of death was released four days after
Gregory Starkey died while tending to a hydrogen sulfide gas leak at the
Chalmette Refining plant.

Starkey, 33, was a contract worker who was employed by Team Industrial
Services.

Results for toxicology reports are expected later this month. There was no
initial indication as to the cause of the enlargement of Starkey's heart.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating.