2 killed in downstate oil well explosion

CROSSVILLE -- Authorities say an oil well explosion in southern Illinois has killed two people and injured five others.

Medical helicopters airlifted four of the injured victims from the scene of the Wednesday morning explosion west of Crossville.

Anita Sullivan of the White County Sheriff's Department says the names of the victims have not been released pending notification of family members.

Sullivan says Grayville-based Mason Well Servicing was working to cement a finished well when the explosion occurred around 10 a.m. Fire crews from Illinois and Indiana had the fire under control by afternoon.

Messages left for the company and the county coroner were not immediately returned.

Crossville is about 30 miles northwest of Evansville, Ind.