Redstone Arsenal, Ala. - It is with deepest sympathy and sadness that TEAM Redstone and Amtec Corporation announce, May 6, the deaths of two contract employees.

Jerry A. Grimes, 58, of Hartselle, Ala., and James R. Hawke, Jr. 53, of Hazel Green, Ala. died May 5 at UAB Hospital in Birmingham of injuries sustained in the explosion that took place on Wednesday at Building 7352, an Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center (AMRDEC) facility.

At this time, arrangements have not been announced.

The employees were working on demilitarization operations that involved ammonium perchlorate, an oxidizer used in solid rocket propellant.

We are deeply saddened by these events and remain steadfast to our commitment to investigate the situation, discover the cause and work to prevent future incidents from occurring.

Amtec expresses sincere thanks to staff and personnel at Redstone Arsenal, to the Huntsville community and to others for their response to yesterday's events.

A memorial fund has been set up at Redstone Federal Credit Union for the benefit of the surviving spouses and their families.