Drilling Rig Collapse Near Belfield - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Drilling Rig Collapse Near Belfield

If we report an accident along Highway 85, it usually involves vehicles, but a different kind of pile-up had drivers slowing down to take a look, and take a picture today.

A collapsed oil derrick, which is the tower portion of an oil rig, is causing a scene just north of Belfield along Highway 85.

Dozens of drivers on the busy highway in oil country pulled over to see this Nabors drilling rig.

According to Alison Ritter with the Oil and Gas Division, the oil derrick toppled over while crews were "rigging down"-- or getting ready to move to a new location.

Several drivers who have worked in the oilfield, say it's a sight unlike anything they've ever seen.

"I was on my way to work and everyone stopped to take pictures, I saw sheriff's department parked across the street, so I just had to stop and see it, never seen anything like it." says Daniel Head/Originally from Seattle/Lives and works near Belfield

"I was driving by on my way to Deadwood, we just seen it, I was by here Friday, they were still operating, yeah it's insane."

"I've never seen anything like that, I've seen sub-structures collapse, but never a derrick." says Sy Nordeng/Watford City

Based on information from Nabors, OSHA representatives say no one was injured, but the incident is under investigation.