Abstract: At approximately 2:30 p.m. on July 7, 1998, Employee #1, an experienced equipment operator, was using a rock trencher to lay electrical conduit for a new residential housing subdivision. He inadvertently struck an unmarked gas line, which exploded into flames. Employee #1 sustained burns over 98 percent of his body, and was killed. The employer had called 1-800-DIG-TESS to get authorization to dig. There were two lines running parallel and the lines supposedly were marked, according to the railroad commission's report. However, there were conflicting statements as to whether or not both lines were marked.