Chemicals ruled out in Oelwein men’s death

Hazardous chemicals did not cause the death of two Oelwein men found inside a railroad tanker car. Authorities had been called to the Trans-Co Rail Car Company where they found 49-year-old John Woodson and 46-year-old Daniel Steil both lying unconscious. Both men were pulled from the tanker car, and taken to the Linn County Hospital, where they were pronounced dead. The Linn County HazMat team was called in, and after an inspection announced that there were no hazardous materials in or around the tank. OSHA officials are to arrive later to today to conduct an investigation. The Fayette County Sheriff’s office is also waiting for a report from the state medical examiner’s office on the cause of death.