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Tech injured in boiler explosion remains in ICU

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CINCINNATI -- One of five men injured in an explosion at Crossroads Church in western Hamilton County remains in intensive care.

John Heiert, a service technician for Crossroads, was the most seriously injured when a boiler exploded Jan. 6 at the location in Miami Township, just outside the village of Cleves. He suffered several severe fractures to his face and already has undergone two surgeries at University of Cincinnati Medical Center, his sister-in-law, Amy Davidson, said Monday via email.

She said Heiert also suffered "a fractured sternum, small spinal fractures and a deep laceration to his right lower leg that also needed surgical repair."

Surgery Tuesday will be to repair a leak of cerebrospinal fluid, Davidson wrote, and he has a tracheostomy tube to protect his airway.

Heiert is expected to be hospitalized for several weeks.

The failure of a boiler at the church sent shrapnel flying and blew out windows, Fire Chief Steve Ober said. A cause of the failure has not yet been released.