Photo: ranplett / E+ / Getty Images
A tragic incident occurred in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where a man was found dead in a silo on Saturday (October 4). Emergency crews responded to a call around 12:24 p.m. at a farm located on Geist Road and Creek Hill Road. The man, whose identity has not been released, was discovered at the top of a 60-foot silo, having succumbed to "silo gas."
According to Local 21 News, the silo had been filled with high moisture corn product two days prior. The gas, identified as nitrogen dioxide, is produced when feed ferments inside the silo. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that inhaling this gas can cause a person to collapse within seconds and potentially die within minutes.
Garden Spot Fire Rescue confirmed that they used gas meters to measure nitrogen dioxide levels before ventilating the silo. The Lancaster County Coroner was called to the scene, but the official cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
Upper Leacock Fire Chief Larry Miller noted that this year's warm and humid conditions have increased the frequency of such incidents. First responders used self-contained breathing apparatuses to ensure their safety during the rescue operation.