Note: We are republishing this story to raise awareness for the Mike Biadasz farm safety and education memorial fund. To find out more, go to their Facebook page here and website here.
In the manure storage tank of a Wisconsin farm, a “deadly dome of air” exploded, killing sixteen of the farmer’s cattle in an odd accident.
According to WAOW, 29-year-old farmer Michael Biadasz of Amherst, Wisconsin, died from gas poisoning on his family’s farm after being overcome by methane or sulfur oxide fumes. There were sixteen cow deaths in all—13 of the farm’s animals died initially, and three more died later.
The 29-year-old’s father, Bob Biadasz, co-owner of Biadasz Farms, claims that an unusual and unanticipated weather event known as a “perfect storm” was to blame for the disaster. When the tank was ready to be pumped, warm upper air temperatures trapped the gases in a dome of air, killing Michael and the animals in the process.
Biadasz was allegedly already dead when other workers arrived to begin clearing manure from the tank.
Scott Rifleman, the Coroner for Portage County, commented to WAOW, “The family is devastated, absolutely devastated.”
According to Rifleman, WSAW, the occurrence is even more surprising considering deaths from gas poisoning typically occur in enclosed areas. The coroner said that the air pressure prevented the gases from escaping.
The coroner went on to explain that an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of Biadasz’s death. Rifleman testified that Biadasz had safely emptied the same tank hundreds of times before to the terrible event.
In remembrance of Michael, the Biadasz family parked a row of tractors and other equipment along the road that goes near the farm. A blue tractor, multiple red trucks, and Michael’s black pickup truck are among the parked cars.
One Facebook user commented on the article, saying, “As if there isn’t already enough danger in the lives of farmers, this family had to suffer this freak accident.” “So sad.”
Many people are advocating for stricter rules to be imposed on manure storage tanks in the wake of the unfortunate disaster in order to avoid another one of this kind happening in the future. The National Agriculture Safety Database, according to All That’s News, states that areas used for livestock storage ought to have adequate ventilation and that adjacent warning signs need to be erected.
“In addition to adhering to proper construction and maintenance procedures for liquid manure storage facilities, owners should be encouraged to follow a few precautionary measures to protect both workers and livestock from harmful manure gases,” according to the NASD.
According to WASW, a Virginia family met a similar tragic end in 2007 when a pipe obstruction resulted in a deadly methane gas buildup, killing five of the family members.
Sources: WSAW and WAOW
