Lives at Stake: The Urgent Need to Follow One Call Best Practices
- Oak Tree Group
- Sep 4
- 3 min read
On April 9, 2025, tragedy struck Lexington, Missouri, when a gas explosion claimed the life of 5-year-old Alistair Lamb and severely injured his father and sister. The blast, which destroyed homes and shattered a community, was the result of a preventable error: a subcontractor drilled into an unmarked, capped underground gas line while installing fiber optic cables. The incident has become a sobering reminder of the critical importance of adhering to One Call best practices and ensuring prompt emergency response.
What Went Wrong
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) preliminary report, Liberty Utilities had sent a locator to mark buried utilities days before the excavation began. However, the section of the gas line involved in the explosion was not identified or marked. When the drill struck the line, the crew noticed the smell of gas and reported the damage to both 911 and Missouri’s 811 “Call Before You Dig” system.
Despite these reports and multiple calls from concerned neighbors about the odor of gas, no widespread evacuation was ordered. Only one nearby business was evacuated. Hours later, the explosion occurred, devastating a home and forever altering the lives of its occupants. The NTSB said that firefighters and a crew with Liberty Utilities arrived and worked to stop the flow of gas. One business about 15 feet (4.6 meters) from the leak was evacuated. But several other nearby buildings were not evacuated, including the destroyed and damaged homes, which ranged from 80 feet to 160 feet (24 to 49 meters) from the leak.
The Cost of Complacency
This incident highlights a cascade of failures:
Incomplete utility marking: The unmarked gas line was a ticking time bomb.
Delayed emergency response: Although Liberty Utilities attempted to stop the leak, they were unsuccessful.
Lack of evacuation: Despite clear signs of danger, residents were not warned or evacuated.
The consequences were fatal. And they were preventable.
Why One Call Best Practices Matter
Sarah K. Magruder Lyle, CEO of Common Ground Alliance, emphasized that contacting 811 is just the beginning. True damage prevention requires:
Accurate utility maps
Thorough marking of all underground lines
Clear communication between utility owners, locators, and excavators
Proactive emergency response and evacuation protocols
Best practices exist to protect lives, property, and communities. When they are ignored or only partially followed, the results can be catastrophic.
Moving Forward: A Call to Action
The NTSB continues to investigate the incident, focusing on Liberty Utilities’ response protocols, record keeping, and emergency procedures. But the lessons from Lexington are already clear.
Every stakeholder—from utility companies to contractors to local governments—must commit to:
Rigorous adherence to One Call procedures
Transparent and timely communication
Swift and decisive emergency response
What happened in Lexington cannot be undone. But it can serve as a wake-up call for communities across the country. Damage prevention is not just a regulatory requirement—it’s a moral imperative. If your company would like help with its damage prevention program or other compliance needs, don't hesitate to contact us to see how we can help.
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