Man Dies in Silo Gas Tragedy Amidst Warm Weather
Emergency services rushed to a farm in the 100 block of Geist Road just before 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. They discovered a man dead in a concrete silo, standing 60 feet tall, filled with high-moisture corn. The cause of death was inhaling 'silo gas', a dangerous byproduct of the recent high temperatures.
The victim, whose name has not been made public, was found in the silo after emergency crews arrived. The silo, filled with high-moisture corn, had produced nitrogen dioxide, an odorless and colorless gas that becomes prevalent in such conditions. This gas is particularly hazardous in high concentrations.
This incident comes amidst a rise in such occurrences due to higher temperatures this year. Emergency responders have had to use self-contained breathing apparatuses more frequently to ensure their safety while attending to these incidents.
The man's death serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with high-moisture corn storage, especially in warmer temperatures. Authorities urge farmers to take necessary precautions to prevent such tragedies.
