Terlton resident remembers fallen on 33-year anniversary

TERLTON, Okla. (KTUL) — Thirty-three years ago, an unimaginable tragedy occurred in Terlton that forever changed the community.

The Aerlex Fireworks explosion killed 21 people in Pawnee County and was dubbed one of the deadliest industrial accidents in Oklahoma history.

"I do a lot of things that keeps my mind off of what happened," said Terlton resident, Bill Hickson. "I was one of the first ones out there. I was there before the deputies, and there were bodies everywhere."

Hickson says he knew every single person who worked there and died that day. What hurts the most for him is that among the victims were his wife and brother.

"My brother, Jessie, was 55-years old at the time, and my wife, Antoinette 'Toni,' was 39-years old. We had only been married for three years. I felt like I lost all my friends. They're family," Hickson said.

He says he went to 15 of the 21 funerals.

Not only did the explosion make an impact on him but also the entire town.

"It's something we'll also remember," said Hickson. "We're tough, and we just go on."

Power in the community keeps Hickson and the rest of the town looking ahead.

A local production company is working on a documentary about the accident.

Check out the trailer here.