Damage is seen at Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co., after a tank containing hazardous liquid imploded, on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Longview, Wash. (Karen Ducey/The Seattle Times via AP)
LONGVIEW, Wash. — The Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office has completed autopsies on all 10 people who died in the May 26 industrial accident at the Nippon Dynawave facility in Longview, officials announced.
According to the coroner’s office, investigations by other agencies remain ongoing, though the coroner’s investigation has concluded. Officials said all next of kin have been notified and requested privacy for the families as they mourn.
Autopsies conducted June 1 and June 2 determined that most of the victims died from alkaline chemical burns sustained during the incident. All deaths were ruled accidental.
The victims were identified as:
Gilberto Bernal, 52, of Kelso, Washington
Tyler Covington, 29, of Castle Rock, Washington
Dale Miller, 54, of Portland, Oregon
Robert Wilson, 48, of Clatskanie, Oregon
Jared Ammons, 35, of Longview, Washington
Bradley Covington, 27, of Castle Rock, Washington
Clinton Doran, 26, of Kelso, Washington
John Forsberg, 51, of Longview, Washington
Braydon Finkas, 38, of Cathlamet, Washington
Norman Barlow, 58, of Vancouver, Washington
The coroner reported that eight of the victims died from alkaline chemical burns. Wilson’s death was attributed to alkaline chemical burns and blunt-force injuries. Finkas died from alkaline chemical burns and asphyxia caused by aspiration of a foreign object.
The May 26 accident ranks among the deadliest industrial incidents in recent memory in Southwest Washington. Authorities have not yet released findings regarding the cause of the accident, and multiple investigations remain underway.
No additional information about those investigations was immediately available.
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