Two men died after falling into a manure tanker at a farm in Kirkland, New York, around 11 a.m. Thursday. Social media posts identify them as working for Dairy Support Services, an agriculture service provider for central New York dairy farms, involved in manure spreading, forage planting, harvesting, and trucking.
According to the Kirkland Police Department via WKTV, one of the men had attempted to retrieve a piece of equipment from the tanker.
“When the male went to retrieve the equipment,” KPD added, “he passed out and fell inside of the tanker.”
The second person reportedly attempted to get help but also passed out and fell into the tanker.
Police responded to the farm on Champion Road after the two individuals were found unconscious inside of a manure tanker. Shortly after, emergency services, including the Clinton Fire Department, COCVAC Ambulance, and Mercy Flight, arrived at the scene to assist the two men.
Both individuals were then transported to Wynn Hospital for further treatment. WKTV reported that the two men have been identified as 33-year-old Nathan Doody from DeRuyter and 29-year-old Tyler Memory from Tully. A GoFundMe said that Doody was a husband and father of two girls. Both men also served as firefighters.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
“This is the thing that is in the back of every farm families mind, always careful always worrying, but still there it is, no matter how careful we are, farming is unpredictable and tragic accidents happen in the briefest of moments. As a farm mother it is my greatest fear. I’m beyond words for this loss,” one Facebook tribute said.
Since manure storage facilities have become more common in agriculture, there have been numerous cases of farmers, family members, or employees being asphyxiated or poisoned by toxic gases from the storage. Documented incidents include multiple deaths occurring when individuals attempted to rescue coworkers or family members from underground pits or spreader tanks.
According to the National Ag Safety Database, the four main gases produced from decomposing manure are hydrogen sulfide, methane, ammonia, and carbon dioxide. These gases can pose serious health threats to humans and livestock at high concentrations.