Nebraska’s Gov. Jim Pillen and his family own several hog farms throughout the state. At their operation in Boone County on April 1, a teen worker was found dead in a hog unit.
Around 11:30 a.m., deputies from the Boone County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the hog unit on the Pillen family farm following a distress call about an unresponsive teen. Upon their arrival, deputies found Zach Panther, the 17-year-old worker, unresponsive at the scene, according to local reports.
The Boone County sheriff’s office has initiated an investigation into the incident. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of Panther’s death. According to the sheriff’s office, preliminary findings from the initial investigation have not revealed any signs of foul play.
In response to the tragic event, the Pillen family released the following statement:
“The loss of Zach Panther has left us profoundly saddened. Though his employment with our Team was very brief, he positively impacted those he worked with. We deeply mourn Zach’s passing and extend our prayers to his loved ones during this very difficult time.”
Incidents at pig farms can range from minor injuries to more serious ones or death. They can occur for a variety of reasons, including handling large and sometimes unpredictable animals, operating heavy machinery, and exposure to health hazards.
»Related: Review of agricultural injuries can help inform safety measures