Report: Human error caused pipeline explosion that killed 2

DIXON, Ill. (AP) - Federal officials say human error was the cause of a northern Illinois natural gas pipeline explosion last year that killed two men and left two others seriously injured.

Sauk Valley Media reports the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration says workers operating a tiling plow ruptured the pipeline, causing the explosion. At the time of the explosion in December, the workers were installing drainage tile.

The investigation determined the owner of the land did not contact the Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators before beginning the tiling project.

Fifty-nine-year-old Rory Miller of Amboy and his son, 30-year-old Ryan of Oregon, were killed by the blast. Kyler Ackland of West Brooklyn and Michael Koster of Sterling were injured.

The Millers had farmed the leased land for decades.

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Information from: Sauk Valley Media, http://www.saukvalley.com