LONGVIEW, Washington (From news reports) -- The bodies of the men killed in a Longview paper mill chemical spill returned to Longview on Saturday, and the public was invited to gather along the route home.
On May 26, a chemical tank imploded at the Nippon Dynawave paper mill in Longview and killed 11 people. The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries is investigating the incident.
The victims were taken to the King County Medical Examiner's Office and began the journey home in a freeway procession Saturday, June 6, led by the Cowlitz County Coroner's Office.
Those killed were Dale Miller, Gilbert Bernal, Jared Ammons, Braydon Finkas, John Forsberg, Tyler Covington, Brad Covington, Robert "Robb" Wilson, Clinton "C.J." Doran, Norman Barlow and Dillon Miller.
Dillon Miller, who is outside of the coroner's jurisdiction, and Gilbert Bernal, who has already been transported to the Yakima area, would not be part of Saturday's procession, according to officials.
The procession began when Washington State Patrol joined the coroner's vehicle as it entered Lewis County at approximately 4 p.m. at Exit 88 in Rochester.
Lewis County Emergency Management invited community members to gather on overpasses in Lewis County as the men are escorted home.
Cowlitz County Sheriff's deputies joined at the county line near Exit 57 and ended via Exit 42 at Lexington Bridge.
The public was not allowed at the Cowlitz County Coroner's Office, out of respect for the victims' families.
