Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Midland High student dies in oilfield accident
The first on their jerseys to designate their own position and another on their helmets to recognize No. 19, Francisco "David" Dinkha, who was killed in a drilling site accident Sunday at the age of 17.
by Kathleen Thurber
Midland Reporter-Telegram
By Kathleen Thurber
Staff Writer
When the Midland High football team takes the field this fall they'll each be wearing two numbers.
The first on their jerseys to designate their own position and another on their helmets to recognize No. 19, Francisco "David" Dinkha, who was killed in a drilling site accident Sunday at the age of 17.
"Like many seniors he was looking forward to having a great senior year," said Midland High football coach Craig Yenzer. "We're really heartbroken."
The accident occurred around 3:45 p.m. Sunday when Dinkha was working with four others from Midland-Odessa at an oilfield company about 35 miles south of Fort Stockton, said Pecos County Sheriff Cliff Harris.
Dinkha and two others were riding in a front loader being driven down a rough incline when the machine began to bounce and threw the three boys from the area they'd been riding in, Harris said.
Two boys, including one who is a student at Lee High School, were thrown clear of the front loader, but Dinkha was thrust in front of the vehicle and run over when the driver was unable to stop, Harris said.
Dinkha was pronounced dead at the scene.
The student from Lee sustained non-life threatening injuries, according to the Midland Independent School District.
Dinkha, who would have been a senior at Midland High this fall, had been dividing his summer vacation between working at the drilling site and spending time in the weight room at Midland High so he'd be ready for football season.
"This family has experienced a level of loss that we cannot begin to imagine," said Superintendent Sylvester Perez in a statement. "The entire Midland ISD team is available to support and assist the families and other students affected by the tragedy."
Yenzer said the reaction of Dinkha's teammates has been indicative of the kind of person he was, as the students are all struggling with the news of their teammate, who was always dependable and hard-working.
Some students started a MySpace page for Dinkha after the accident, posting comments about the friend and relative they'd lost and sharing their best memories of Dinkha with each other through their Internet postings.
"I know you're up there watching down on us so please give us the strength to be strong," wrote his sister, Martha Dinkha. Others agreed and wrote of the friend whose laughter always made them feel better whether they were watching TV, playing videogames or practicing out on the field.
Several oilfield companies in Midland County said they generally do not hire workers younger than 18, though a few admitted that with the need for employees at so many different companies, anything is possible.
"I hope that there's nobody that desperate that they're hiring young people," said Annie Thomas, human resources manager with Whiting Oil & Gas Corporation. "The safety of our employees is our prime concern."
Other oil company managers agreed and said the only place they would allow a minor to work would be in the office.
Harris said he did not have the company's name available Tuesday where Dinkha and other youth had been working. Whether the employment of teens is isolated to this company is unclear, he said, though Dinkha's is certainly not the first death at a drilling site in Pecos County this year as county officials are called out fairly regularly to accidents, some of which have also resulted in deaths, Harris said.
Yenzer said he'd never had the chance to talk with Dinkha about his future aspirations because they were still focused on accomplishing their goals for the fall, but that the team will be at a loss without him.
Memorial services are being arranged by Nalley Pickle & Welch Funeral Home, but have not yet been scheduled.
The Pecos County Sheriff's Department will continue investigating the incident as an accident, Harris said, and Dinkha's body has been sent for an autopsy.
"It's a tough deal," Yenzer said. "There's nothing we can say to make it better."
Kathleen Thurber can be reached at kthurber@mrt.com.
Staff Writer
When the Midland High football team takes the field this fall they'll each be wearing two numbers.
The first on their jerseys to designate their own position and another on their helmets to recognize No. 19, Francisco "David" Dinkha, who was killed in a drilling site accident Sunday at the age of 17.
"Like many seniors he was looking forward to having a great senior year," said Midland High football coach Craig Yenzer. "We're really heartbroken."
The accident occurred around 3:45 p.m. Sunday when Dinkha was working with four others from Midland-Odessa at an oilfield company about 35 miles south of Fort Stockton, said Pecos County Sheriff Cliff Harris.
Dinkha and two others were riding in a front loader being driven down a rough incline when the machine began to bounce and threw the three boys from the area they'd been riding in, Harris said.
Two boys, including one who is a student at Lee High School, were thrown clear of the front loader, but Dinkha was thrust in front of the vehicle and run over when the driver was unable to stop, Harris said.
Dinkha was pronounced dead at the scene.
The student from Lee sustained non-life threatening injuries, according to the Midland Independent School District.
Dinkha, who would have been a senior at Midland High this fall, had been dividing his summer vacation between working at the drilling site and spending time in the weight room at Midland High so he'd be ready for football season.
"This family has experienced a level of loss that we cannot begin to imagine," said Superintendent Sylvester Perez in a statement. "The entire Midland ISD team is available to support and assist the families and other students affected by the tragedy."
Yenzer said the reaction of Dinkha's teammates has been indicative of the kind of person he was, as the students are all struggling with the news of their teammate, who was always dependable and hard-working.
Some students started a MySpace page for Dinkha after the accident, posting comments about the friend and relative they'd lost and sharing their best memories of Dinkha with each other through their Internet postings.
"I know you're up there watching down on us so please give us the strength to be strong," wrote his sister, Martha Dinkha. Others agreed and wrote of the friend whose laughter always made them feel better whether they were watching TV, playing videogames or practicing out on the field.
Several oilfield companies in Midland County said they generally do not hire workers younger than 18, though a few admitted that with the need for employees at so many different companies, anything is possible.
"I hope that there's nobody that desperate that they're hiring young people," said Annie Thomas, human resources manager with Whiting Oil & Gas Corporation. "The safety of our employees is our prime concern."
Other oil company managers agreed and said the only place they would allow a minor to work would be in the office.
Harris said he did not have the company's name available Tuesday where Dinkha and other youth had been working. Whether the employment of teens is isolated to this company is unclear, he said, though Dinkha's is certainly not the first death at a drilling site in Pecos County this year as county officials are called out fairly regularly to accidents, some of which have also resulted in deaths, Harris said.
Yenzer said he'd never had the chance to talk with Dinkha about his future aspirations because they were still focused on accomplishing their goals for the fall, but that the team will be at a loss without him.
Memorial services are being arranged by Nalley Pickle & Welch Funeral Home, but have not yet been scheduled.
The Pecos County Sheriff's Department will continue investigating the incident as an accident, Harris said, and Dinkha's body has been sent for an autopsy.
"It's a tough deal," Yenzer said. "There's nothing we can say to make it better."
Kathleen Thurber can be reached at kthurber@mrt.com.
 |
 |
|
| Make-A-Wish grants Midland girl's dream | Crime Reports |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of mywesttexas.com.
Kaitlin Wingo wrote on Jul 23, 2008 4:44 PM:
" I'm really gonna miss Dinkha... we usually said hi to each other in the halls... I will never forget his smile! "
Amy Stoker wrote on Jul 23, 2008 9:13 PM:
" I was one of David's (and Martha's) teachers at Goddard Jr. High and I was so sad to hear this news. He was such a sweet kid, always helpful, and always wore a quiet smile on his face. To the entire Dinkha family, you will be in my prayers. May God grant you with peace and comfort during this time. "
Amanda Chambers wrote on Jul 24, 2008 7:10 AM:
" I grew up with David. My mother worked with his mother at McDonalds while we were in elementary school. Everytime i needed someone to talk to, i would just talk to david. He always knew what to say to make me feel better. We always told each other we would always be there for the other one and that we loved each other like family. That was actually what he told me the last time we talked. He had a personality that made it impossible for people to not like him. I loved him soooo much and i still can't beleive that i will not get to talk to my best friend ever again. Or that i am planning a trip back to Midland for him. I will always love him. I will never forget his smile or him. Not a day goes by that i don't think about him. I love you David!!!!! "
Submit a Comment
We encourage your feedback and dialog, however we reserve the right to delete any post we see that may be considered slanderous, excessive and/or foul language, or any post that we may deem inappropriate.
You must register with a valid email to post comments. Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here: |
Become a Registered User |
News
Sports
Business
Entertain
Life
Caleb Whitefield wrote on Jul 23, 2008 10:32 AM: