Father and two sons die in Manure pit

[buckeyefarmer]

My wife had a relative die that way. Last sat. driving by one, I explained to my sons how dangerous they were.

 

[displacedPA]

this is very sad indeed cant imagine going that way....

 

[DKCDKC]

Four members of a family and a farmhand were killed in 2007 just north of me when they were sequentially overcome by methane in a manure tank. When one in the tank was overcome, others went in one by one to save them. All died.
Four Family Members, Farmhand Killed by Gas Fumes in Manure Pit

Farming is one of the most dangerous jobs that exist.

 

[aczlan]

Sad... Reminds me of the saying they taught us in scout camp "Reach or throw, dont go"

A 100-200' piece of rope tied off to the tractor and used as a lifeline probably could have saved several lives...

Aaron Z

 

[NHmitch]

This is just terrible, and the other story about the two girls, the mom, dada, and the farm hand. It absolutely amazes me how much money we dump into foreign nations, that we have been at war with, yet the USDA, and OSHA has known about these dangers since farmers and family members started dying in these pits in the early 1990's, and we still can't come up with a grant so they can make a safer holding area. The money that we spend in one day in Iraq, or Afghanistan, would probably outfit every farm in america with a better system, yet we continue to support the rest of the world. It just makes me sad, and I was talking to my wife today about farms, and how we imports so much food now, we cannot feed ourselves in America anymore without heavy reliance on foreign nations. Where have we gone wrong? And why don't people in this country see what is happening? If the colony collapse disorder get much worse, we may be in serious trouble. The American/Canadian Farmer is a dying breed, and not by choice.

 

[tcartwri]

In an open pit like that, a crust forms on the surface that you can walk on. But just like a pond in the winter you risk falling through. I had a girlfriend in HS whose brother died like that. Not saying that is what happened here.

 

[ChiefLoneWolf]

So, so sad. Almost makes me rethink my tractor buying plans.
My deepest sympathy to the family & friends.

 

[Western]

What a horrible thing to happen to anyone, if what they speculate is the dad trying to save his son is the case, then it brings a passage to my mind that should apply. I wish peace for his remaining family.

"Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

 

[Domush]

.. yet the USDA, and OSHA has known about these dangers since farmers and family members started dying in these pits in the early 1990's, and we still can't come up with a grant so they can make a safer holding area.

I'm confused, why should my tax money be used to make these other peoples' jobs safer? They run a business, safety is part of that business. It isn't for my money to make them safe. The price of that tractor sitting on the edge of the poo pit would have easily bought an entire safety net system for that pit.

Why is the knee-jerk 'fix' of so many to "give them money stolen at gunpoint from other people" (AKA a grant)?

These people weren't forced into the farming business, they know the costs, the risks and what is needed to make it safer for everyone involved. I feel bad for the kids who died, but the father knew the dangers and sure as heck shouldn't have had his kids working in an area so well known for deaths.

I have no pity for people who take unnecessary risks and lose because they were too cheap to invest in safety equipment. Poor farmers my butt! Poor kids for dying because of a negligent dad who ignored the risks.

"Hey kids, who wants to go with dad to Chernobyl for the day and help run the reactor?!"

A healthy diet includes exercise of the brain, too

 

[Taylortractornut]

It was a tragic accident I dont think we need more rules or regs because of it. I have a friend that has one of these at his hog farm. He has a chainlink fence around the perimiter and a handrail around the lower edges. Also has safety ropes and floats and rescue poles. He had almost been overcome by fumes one time and then did all the upgrades. WHat makes alot of them unsafe is the sides and bottoms are lined with a rubber liner and are almost slick as glass.