6 dead, including a high school student, in ‘accident’ at a Colorado dairy

A “dairy accident” at a farm in rural Colorado on Wednesday claimed the lives of six individuals, including a high school student.

Around six o’clock in the evening, the Southeast Weld Fire Protection District reported that its personnel were sent to the 32000 block of Weld County Road 18 in order to perform a “confined space rescue.” Northeast of Denver, at the Prospect Valley Dairy address, the incident took place.

Crews arrived and started the rescue operations by entering the restricted area. They did discover, however, the bodies of six deceased people.

Although their names and ages have not been made public, the Weld County Coroner’s Office confirmed that all of them were men.

The coroner’s office notified the Scripps News Group in Denver that “the Weld County Coroner’s Office is investigating these deaths as possibly being the result of gas exposure in a confined space; however, the final cause and manner of death will await the conclusion of autopsy and toxicology results.”

The Weld RE-9 School District named one of the deceased as a student at Highland High School in Ault in a statement. According to the school district, staff and students now have access to counseling and support services.

“Our thoughts are with the student’s family and friends during this difficult time, and we extend our sincere condolences to all who are impacted by this loss,” the statement began.

According to a UCHealth Greeley Hospital representative, the hospital treated three more patients in connection with the event, all of whom have already been discharged.

A man who used to work at the farm where the incident happened was interviewed by the Denver-based Scripps News Group while they were in the Weld County area. He claimed that because he knew the victims, even though he was not a current employee, he went to learn more about what had transpired.

The man, identifying himself as In s, stated, “They started working here about six years ago,” “Something happened, but they were unable to explain it to me. They were my pals, which is why I came.

Dairy Farmers of America issued the following succinct statement after being approached by the Denver-based Scripps News Group: “We can confirm that a tragic accident occurred on one of our member farms near Keenesburg, Colo., which has resulted in the loss of six persons. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the friends and family of the departed, as we are very saddened by this occurrence. We don’t yet have any further information.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the event is being looked into.