Tragedy Strikes Middle TN as Community Unites in Prayer After Explosion Killing 16

A Community United in Grief and Prayer

Robbie Story and Angie Vanskyock were working at Accurate Energetic Systems when an explosion on October 10 rocked the facility, killing 16 of their coworkers. The tragedy left many reeling, but it also brought people together in a shared sense of loss and healing.

On October 12, about 400 mourners gathered on the lawn of the Humphreys County Courthouse in Waverly to honor those who had been lost. The event, led by Compassion Church, featured singing, praying, and moments of reflection. Attendees lit memorial candles, some wiping away tears while others embraced one another for comfort.

During the service, men removed their ball caps as a sign of respect, and a few raised their hands in prayer. One man held his young son close, swaying to the music as church members sang "Amazing Grace." The atmosphere was one of unity and sorrow, with the community coming together to support each other during a time of deep grief.

Many of those present, including Story and Vanskyock, were current or former employees of Accurate Energetic Systems. Vanskyock said that workers felt a strong need to be there, to continue gathering and finding strength in each other. She and Story had been in different buildings that were damaged by the explosion. Some coworkers suffered minor injuries and were treated in hospitals, but all 16 workers in the building that exploded were killed.

Vanskyock mentioned that she knew all of the victims, but she wasn’t ready to fully process the magnitude of what had been lost. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, and the company, which borders Humphreys and Hickman counties, remains the focus of ongoing efforts to determine what went wrong.

Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis addressed the crowd from the courthouse steps, wiping away tears as he spoke. He had visited the courthouse earlier that day and walked around alone, reflecting on the last major tragedy the area faced—floods in 2021 that claimed 21 lives. A sign attached to a wood cross lists the names of those who died in the floods.

“I still deal with that pain,” Davis said. “And we lost 16 more souls between us and surrounding counties.”

He described the moment he first stood at the blast site, saying, “It wasn't for me to question. We live by His wants and desires.”

Davis and Hickman County Sheriff Jason Craft attended a vigil at a country church the night before. Afterward, Craft looked at Davis and said, “I don't know about you, but I needed that.” Davis told the crowd that their support was helping him cope with the devastation.

“I've always said the strength of our county is our people. When tragedy hits, when the rubber hits the road, our people always come out.”

He added, “There's going to be a void not only in our community but in those families' lives,” referring to those who lost loved ones. He urged everyone to continue supporting the families long after the funerals.

“Let's take time to wrap our arms around these families.”

Craft spoke next, fighting back tears. He said he isn’t usually the emotional one.

“We have cried together over our heartbreak for the families, for our friends and for the community,” he said.

He acknowledged that the investigation could take weeks, but the outpouring of support and prayers from residents was helping sustain him, Sheriff Davis, and other first responders through the difficult days ahead.

As the service came to an end, residents stopped both men to hug and offer encouragement.

“It's going to be a long and hard road,” Craft said. “We really needed to be here.”