ERWIN, Tenn. (WCYB) – Impact Plastics in Erwin said Monday that some employees were missing or dead after Friday’s flooding.

“We are devastated by the tragic loss of great employees,” said Gerald O’Connor, who founded the company in Erwin in 1987. “Those who are missing or deceased and their families are in our thoughts and prayers.”

The company said employees were laid off to return to their homes when water began covering the parking lot and adjacent access road and the facility lost power. The company claimed that at no time were employees told that they would be fired if they left the company.

“For employees who did not speak English, bilingual employees were among the group of managers who delivered the message,” the company said.

The company said most employees left immediately, but some remained on or near the company premises for unknown reasons.

As the flooding worsened, some employees left the industrial park in a truck owned by a neighboring company and driven by a driver from that company, according to the company. Others took the CSX railroad behind the facility.

Due to the rising water, the truck overturned and five employees and a contractor disappeared, the company said. Five other people who were on the truck at the time it overturned were able to escape to safety.

No names have been released. The company said in an email that it had no further comment planned on the matter.

The full press release can be found below.

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