“The Greeley Tribune reports the three men were trying to heat a frozen high-pressure water line when something went wrong and the line ruptured on Thursday,” AAP reported.

“Weld County sheriff's Sergeant Sean Standridge says one man was hit by a stream of water or fraccing fluid and died from the impact. The accident happened near Mead, about 35 miles (56km) north of Denver, on the fourth straight day of frigid weather in the region.”

The contactors were employed by Halliburton to frac an Anadarko Petroleum-operated well.

"This is a very difficult time for all of us at Halliburton, and we are working with local authorities as they look into the details of this incident,” Halliburton said.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with our employees' loved ones.”