A father made a heart-wrenching final phone call to his wife before he and his two daughters lost their lives.
Dylan Danielson, aged 32, along with his daughters Hayven, 12, and Fayeah, eight, tragically died at the Horizon Biofuels plant in Fremont, Nebraska, on July 29 during an unfortunate event.
Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg stated that the girls were present at the plant before a doctor’s appointment, waiting for Danielson to complete his work shift (as reported by ABC News).
A dust fire triggered an explosion at the plant, resulting in parts of the building collapsing. The three family members could not escape, and their bodies were later discovered.
Rescue teams faced challenges due to the dense smoke and flames, and the building’s structural collapse hindered efforts. Danielson’s body was eventually found approximately 24 hours later.
The bodies of the two young girls were recovered later that same evening.
Hayven and Fayeah, who were half-siblings, had their last moments shared by Hayven’s stepfather, Robby Baker, who recounted Danielson’s final call to his wife to a local news station.
“Right after the building collapsed, he was pinned inside of it,” Baker shared with KMTV News. “He made a phone call to his wife and said where the girls were at, get someone in there to get them out, and he was pinned in, and there was fire all around him.
“Our lives are in there. We need to get them out.”
Reports indicate that it was Danielson’s designated time to care for his daughter Fayeah. Baker elaborated, “It’s his time to get them for one week, one week off. This week was his. His boss lets him bring them to work.”
Family members have now established GoFundMe campaigns in honor of both girls.
On Hayven’s GoFundMe page, a message says, “Hayven will always be a beautiful, goofy, caring, and bright ray of sunshine who gained her angel wings too soon. Let’s show this family some love. We love you, Hayven, and we’ll meet again.”
Fayeah’s family described her on her GoFundMe as: “She had such a bubbly personality and lit up every room that she entered. She was a proud Swiftie, a devoted sister, a great friend, and a creative soul who loves fashion, crafts and art.”
The Horizon Biofuels plant produces animal bedding and wood pellets for heating and smoking food, according to ABC News.
On August 4, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) announced a formal investigation into the explosion.
CSB Chairperson Steve Owens stated: “This horrific incident should never have happened. We want to prevent a terrible tragedy like this from occurring again.”