Iowa FACE Fatality Summaries: 2000

Summary Case Report: 68-year-old farmer was feeding a large round bale of hay to his cattle using a narrow-front tractor with front-end loader equipped with tines. While working on a grassy snow-covered hillside, he overturned the tractor on himself, and was found with the tractor seat crushing his abdomen. He was not freed for over four hours. He died later in the hospital from severe abdominal injuries.

Summary Case Report: 53-year-old farmer was unloading spoiled corn from a grain bin using a bottom-unloading auger. He was working alone when grain stopped flowing. He entered the bin and was standing in the corn when he was apparently engulfed with corn that had been stuck to the sides of the bin. He was not caught in the auger, but was found submerged while standing up in the corn. He died from suffocation.

Summary Case Report: 48-year-old operator of a horizontal boring / milling machine for a heavy equipment manufacturer did not show up at break time. Other workers found him lying on the floor next to his machine, having been crushed between the moving head and the frame of the machine. It is not known why the victim put himself in a hazardous position while working with his machine. Full Report with Photos, PDF Document

Summary Case Report: 58-year-old female truckdriver assistant was riding with her husband when they experienced mechanical difficulties and had to pull off of an interstate highway. A trucker in the opposite lane stopped to help them and while the victim was crossing the median, she was hit by a car in the opposite lane. She was dead at the scene. The accident occurred at 0053 hours.

Summary Case Report: 30-year-old man was helping a relative collect garbage into a residential-type garbage truck which has a hydraulic rear compactor. While they were unloading at a landfill, the driver raised the compactor and dumped his load, then after getting verbal OK from the victim (out of sight), he started to close the compactor. After this the driver found the victim lying on the ground with fatal head injuries. His head was crushed between the frame of the compactor and the frame of the truck body as the compactor closed. Full Report with Photos, PDF Document

Summary Case Report: 41-year-old self employed heating-refrigeration contractor was installing an air conditioner at a business location. He was standing on a platform outside a building, helping to move the air conditioner onto the platform from a forklift. The air conditioner was in a cardboard box secured with plastic binding. While being moved, the plastic broke, the man lost his balance and fell 18 feet into an alley, suffering fatal head injuries.

Summary Case Report: 59-year-old rural newspaper carrier was delivering newspapers on a gravel road driving a small-size Ford car. He was not wearing a seatbelt. When he crested a hill he was hit head-on by a full-size Oldsmobile driven by a teenage driver at high speed. The victim was sitting in the drivers seat, and air bags did activate during the collision. Autopsy revealed the man died from transection of the aorta.

Summary Case Report: 68-year-old man was salvaging one of two old 12,000 gallon diesel fuel tanks that were supported 10 feet off the ground by rusting metal supports. While cutting on these supports, he started a grass fire in the area from his cutting torch and volunteer firemen arrived and began to put out this fire. One of the tanks became hot in the fire and exploded, killing the salvage worker and a 25 -year-old volunteer fireman.

Summary Case Report: 25-year-old volunteer fireman was at the scene of a fire where two old 12,000 gallon diesel fuel tanks were being salvaged. The tanks were supported 10 feet off the ground by rusting metal supports. While cutting on these supports, a welder started a grass fire in the area from his cutting torch . While firemen were putting out this fire, one of the tanks became hot in the fire and exploded, killing the salvage worker and one fireman.

Summary Case Report: 48-year-old truckdriver for a building materials company was delivering a load of lumber to a farm that was constructing a new hog building. A skid steer loader was being used to unload the lumber. The load was too heavy and the loader began to tip, so the victim stood on the back of the loader to balance it out. The lumber shifted causing the loader to buck up and down, throwing the victim upwards and then he fell to the ground. He suffered broken wrists and was thought to be stable, but soon collapsed from severe internal lacerations that caused exsanguination.

Summary Case Report: 16-year-old high school student was part of a group doing community volunteer work by helping to clean up a local park. He was standing on a metal ladder using an electric grinder to remover paint from a swing set. There was a split in the insulation surrounding a hot wire in the electric box at the park shelter, and this came in contact with a ground wire. The grinder had a metal case and plastic handles. When the grinder was set on the top of the ladder, back current passed through the grinder, then the ladder, then the victim who was holding onto the swing set.

Summary Case Report: 23-year-old driver of a semi-truck tanker was riding with another driver, aged 22. They lost control of their semi on an interstate highway and crashed into a bridge abutment, which propelled the truck into a creek where it burst into flames. Both drivers were killed instantly from massive multiple injuries. The driver had 22 months experience with his out-of-state trucking company. Autopsy revealed no evidence of drugs or alcohol.

Summary Case Report: 22-year-old truckdriver was riding with a 23 -year-old friend in a semi-truck tanker. The driver lost control of their semi on an interstate highway and crashed into a bridge abutment, which propelled the truck into a creek where it burst into flames. Both drivers were killed instantly from massive multiple injuries. The driver had 22 months experience with his out-of-state trucking company. Autopsy revealed no evidence of drugs or alcohol.

Summary Case Report: 44 -year-old worker for a municipal sewage treatment plant climbed on top of a sludge storage tank and opened a door to check the level of sludge. Normally an electronic device would measure this, but it was malfunctioning. Hydrogen sulfide gas escaped from the open door and the man was overcome by the fumes. He was found dead by a co-worker.

Summary Case Report: 21-year-old iron worker with one year experience was working his first day on the job at a construction site for a new single-story business building. He was walking on the main level when he fell through a hole in the floor, which was actually an elevator shaft. The hole was surrounded only by DANGER tape, and had no physical barrier. The man fell 15 feet and suffered severe head and spinal injuries. He was in a coma for four days until he died.

Summary Case Report: 64-year-old female dishwasher was working in the kitchen of a restaurant when she apparently fell onto the floor, suffering a broken hip. The floor was dry in the area. The hip was surgically repaired and while in physical therapy four days after surgery, she suddenly collapsed and died. Autopsy revealed multiple arterial emboli to the lung.

Summary Case Report: 60-year-old owner of a rural tavern had closed business for the evening, and was preparing himself some food in the kitchen of his business. He apparently had been drinking and fell asleep at a table. A fire developed on the stove and spread to the building itself. The man died from smoke inhalation.

Summary Case Report: 52-year-old maintenance man for a hog confinement operation was mowing grass around a manure lagoon using a tractor equipped with a belly mower. He ran over a garden hose which was attached to a sump pump in a fenced off area used for fuel storage. The hose wound up in the mower, pulling the sump pump up and over a chain link fence, striking the man in the side of the head rendering his unconscious. The tractor then swerved downhill into the lagoon, threw off the operator,then overturned trapping the man underneath. The man drowned in the lagoon.

Summary Case Report: 19-year-old carpenter working at a residential construction project was helping to feed roofing materials through a ceiling hole to other workers. He was working on the main floor of the building when he accidentally fell through the hole in the floor for the basement stairway. He landed on his head and received fatal head injuries.

Summary Case Report: 29-year-old worker for a tank company was killed while erecting a water tank for a town in rural Iowa. The tank company was in business to re-condition and re-locate used water tanks. They had hired a crane company to lift the water tower supports and the water tank into position. The crane company used a mobile tower crane which was positioned close to the new foundations for the water tower. After lifting the water tank and moving it into position, one main outrigger sank into the soft soil, and the tower crane fell in the direction of the water tower, causing everything to crash to the ground. The victim was standing on a horizontal support for the water tower and was caught in the falling iron. The crane company failed to recognize the condition of the soil and did not take adequate measures to support the outrigger. This crane company made the same mistake three years ago and killed one of their own employees in a similar accident. Full Report with Photos

Summary Case Report: 38-year-old night supervisor for a grain terminal on the Mississippi River was found dead in the water near the barge load-out area. His cause of death was accidental drowning. It remains unknown why the victim was at that location, possibly to retrieve something that fell into the water. The man could not swim and had a great fear of water.

Summary Case Report: 19-year-old worker for a house moving company was checking the rigging while a house was slowly being moved down the road. Apparently, the man crawled in between the rigging while the house was still moving, and fell into the path of the trailer wheels where he was crushed.

Summary Case Report: 68-year-old co-owner of a painting company was helping his brother paint a barn. They were using a conventional 18 foot scaffold raised to a platform height of 12 1/2 feet. The victim was using an 11 foot ladder adjacent to the scaffold, leaning on a wall of the barn. Apparently the victim pushed against the scaffold or the wall causing the scaffold, which was on wheels, to fall over. Both men fell to a concrete pad below. The victim was initially lucid, but soon lost consciousness and then died at the scene. His cause of death was heart arrhythmia induced by the fall.

Summary Case Report: 46-year-old lineman was electrocuted while replacing a transformer on a pole that was damaged earlier in an apartment fire. He was working in the bucket of a cherry picker when he came into contact with a 7000 volt jumper line. His company was cited by OSHA for allowing him to work too close to electrical hazard without proper protection. His company did not obtain notification and assurance that all switches and disconnects were turned off or that protective grounds were applied to their equipment.

Summary Case Report: 38-year-old driver for a local cable company was involved in a motor vehicle accident on a two-lane state highway. An oncoming passenger car turned left in front of him and they collided almost head-on. He died from massive internal injuries.

Summary Case Report: 67-year-old worker was doing inventory work in a warehouse when he fell six feet off a ladder sustaining severe head injuries. He was flown to a regional hospital, but became unresponsive and continued to deteriorate until he died the next day.

Summary Case Report: A 43-year-old mechanic at an aluminum products plant was killed in the cold mill area. Apparently a cable on an overhead crane snapped causing the hook to fall into the work area below. The hook hit other machinery, then hit the victim causing fatal injuries. A limiting switch was malfunctioning, and workers were suing this as the main operating switch, therefore the crane had no safety stop.

Summary Case Report: 44-year-old truckdriver from out of state exited the interstate and failed to stop his truck at the crossing highway. His truck continued across the highway and plowed into the lawn of a company on the far side of the highway. The man was dead at the scene.

Summary Case Report: 21-year-old man was helping a friend repair his roof. On one low flat section of the roof, the victim stood up and came into contact with bare power lines. The man was electrocuted and fell to the ground, landing on a pile of shingles. The involved wires were on the private, residential side of the meter, and were not the responsibility of the electric company.

Summary Case Report: 37-year-old self-employed welder was using a tractor equipped with a front-end loader to smooth out the driveway to his rural home business. While backing down into a ditch across from his driveway, the tractor rolled over backwards and the man was instantly killed underneath.

Summary Case Report: 18-year-old man working on his parents farm was riding a horse chasing a runaway steer, trying to lasso the animal with a rope which was attached to the horn of his saddle. He was apparently thrown off his horse while trying to lasso the steer and his neck became entangled in the rope. He was dragged 100 feet into some trees by the horse. Relatives were alerted when the horse returned to the house without its saddle. The victim died of asphyxiation due to strangulation.

Summary Case Report: 35-year-old worker for a boat storage company was working as a temporary employee doing odd jobs. He was standing on top of a 12-foot step ladder trying to repair a door when he fell to the ground landing on his head. The man died from massive head trauma. There was a family history of osteogenesis imperfecta, which may have contributed to the severity of the mans injuries.

Summary Case Report: 27-year-old owner of a meat locker was found dead in the office area of the business. Death was a suicide from a sawed off 22-caliber rifle. The man had a history of depression and was currently under medical treatment. He had bought the business one year prior to this time and may have had financial difficulties.

Summary Case Report: 57 -year-old truckdriver was driving his semi-trailer down a state highway hauling office furniture. For an unknown reason he lost control of the rig and crashed into a farm driveway. The truck caught on fire, however the official cause of death was listed as craniocerebral injuries. There was no evidence of natural causes.

Summary Case Report: 46-year-old cattle farmer was mixing feed for cattle using a tractor with an attached silage wagon. He had backed the silage wagon into a confinement building and was preparing to add feed supplement. The tractor was left running in neutral, however the PTO was not engaged. The tractor started to roll and the victim attempted to mount the tractor and stop it. He was run over by the tractor and was found dead underneath the silage wagon.

Summary Case Report: 21-year-old female college student was working for a seed corn company doing crew detasseling. She was traveling in her personal car going from one field to another when she entered an unprotected gravel intersection and was struck broadside by a grain truck. She was wearing a seatbelt, but was hit directly on the driver's side door. She died instantly.

Summary Case Report: 46-year-old worker at a tire plant was caught in a tire assembly machine and suffered massive crush injuries to the left abdomen and left pelvis. He required multiple surgeries while in the hospital and had multiple system failures, eventually acquiring sepsis, which took his life 34 days after admission.

Summary Case Report: 18-year-old construction worker was shingling a rural farmhouse with his brother. They were using an aluminum ladder equipped with a motorized shingle lift attached to the ladder. While moving or lowering the ladder, it fell backwards and the top came in contact with high voltage wires above the transformer on the electric service pole, which was 20 feet from the house. Both men were shocked, but one was only stunned. The other died from electrocution.

Summary Case Report: 53-year-old worker for a freight railroad was found dead on the tracks having been run over by a rail car. The event was not witnessed and no one knows exactly what the man was doing. They assume he tripped while working and fell under the moving car. Autopsy could not discover any signs of natural disease which lead to his death.

Summary Case Report: 36-year-old owner of an auto service station was working under a pick-up truck elevated off the floor with a hydraulic single-cylinder hoist. Suddenly the truck rolled backwards off the hoist and crushed the man before it rolled out into the street. Apparently they always used chocks when using this old hoist, but did not this time. The man had set the parking brake, but then was underneath working on the drive shaft, which when disconnected, allowed the truck to roll backwards off the hoist. The man's wife noticed the truck and ran to find her husband crushed by the truck. The man was initially conscious but soon died from exsanguination.

Summary Case Report: 38-year-old truckdriver was driving a load of used oil filters when his truck crossed the centerline and collided with a semi-truck in the opposite lane.

Summary Case Report: 45-year-old truckdriver was driving his rig on a 2-lane highway when he suddenly tried to stop for a car that was turning left in front of him. The truckdriver swerved to his right, entered the ditch, hit a farm driveway, and eventually crossed the centerline and collided with a semi truck coming in the opposite lane. The driver of the first truck was killed in the collision.

Summary Case Report: 32-year-old construction worker for a road building contractor was one of four men riding in the bucket of a large front-end loader as it traveled down a two-lane gravel road. The man fell out of the bucket and was run over and killed by the front-end loader.

Summary Case Report: 79- and 84-year-old brothers were found dead in a livestock pen, killed by an 800 pound yearling Angus bull that was at their farm. They were found by another brother who had just returned from the hospital, where he had spent three days recuperating after being attacked by the same bull. Full Report

Summary Case Report: 79- and 84-year-old brothers were found dead in a livestock pen, killed by an 800 pound yearling Angus bull that was at their farm. They were found by another brother who had just returned from the hospital, where he had spent three days recuperating after being attacked by the same bull. Full Report

Summary Case Report: 55-year-old grain farmer was working under a rotary stalk cutter when it fell on him and crushed him. He hoisted the heavy cutter off the floor of his machine shed using a skid-steer loader and a chain, then put wood blocks under the cutter. While repairing / adjusting the cutter, the blocks shifted and the cutter fell on him causing fatal head injuries.

Summary Case Report: 27-year-old construction worker was helping his father demolish a building at a business location. Next to this building was a warehouse / office where the father went to make a phone call. He then saw his son hanging from a rope in the warehouse section of the building. The victim had hung himself apparently after talking with relatives on the phone.

Summary Case Report: 38-year-old maintenance man at an apartment complex lost his job on the day of his death. He did not come home that night and the next day was found hanging from a crossbeam in the maintenance garage for the apartment complex. He had left a suicide note in the apartment office, along with some personal belongings. The man had a history of depression and alcohol abuse, and recently broke up with his wife.

Summary Case Report: 71-year-old farmer and his 41-year-old son were in a machine shed warming up a tractor preparing to go push snow. The tractor was a 4-cylinder gas machine with a front end loader. The shed door was shut but building vents were open. A wife found both men dead, lying on the floor next to the tractor, which was still running. The shed was 48 x 30.

Summary Case Report: 71-year-old farmer and his 41-year-old son were in a machine shed warming up a tractor preparing to go push snow. The tractor was a 4-cylinder gas machine with a front end loader. The shed door was shut but building vents were open. A wife found both men dead, lying on the floor next to the tractor, which was still running. The shed was 48 x 30.

Summary Case Report: 66-year-old farmer was mowing a ditch when the left rear tire hit a culvert, causing the tractor to roll in the ditch. The man was working at his daughter's farm.

Summary Case Report: 53-year-old truckdriver was driving a single-axle semi tractor when he lost control of it on an interstate covered with ice and snow. The tractor went into the ditch and rolled over. The man was wearing a lap and shoulder belt but died from head injuries.

Summary Case Report: 49-year-old owner of an auto repair shop got into an argument with another man over a recent card game. This happened at his auto repair business. The other man left and returned with an illegal handgun and killed the shop owner. The assailant was convicted of second degree murder.

Summary Case Report: 79-year-old cleaning lady for a bank was coming to work at approximately 5:30 PM. After unlocking the front door to the bank, she apparently slipped and fell backwards down the steps of a 6-foot landing, hitting her head on the concrete acquiring head injuries and subdural hemorrhage. She died two months later in a nursing home. The landing was not icy, and it was a sunny, clear day.

Summary Case Report: 61-year-old hog and grain farmer was found dead in his barnyard from an unknown cause. Autopsy revealed acute respiratory failure due to suspected exposure to agricultural environmental agents. The farmer had recently been seen entering a 12-foot deep, poorly ventilated holding pit, which contained old corn. The man was in excellent health and had received a normal heart and lung exam earlier that year.

Summary Case Report: 44-year-old cattle farmer was found dead inside a building at his farm. He had apparently shot himself in the head with a 22 caliber rifle. The man had a 2-month history of increasing paranoia, combined with significant farm and family pressure. He was otherwise physically healthy.

Summary Case Report: 74-year-old building superintendent for a fraternal organization hung himself with a rope. This occurred inside the building where he had worked for the past 10 years. He was in normal physical health, but had experienced recent marital difficulties. There was apparently no warning given to co-workers.

Summary Case Report: 70-year-old owner of a demolition business was working with his son tearing down a bridge which had wooden planking. The son was using a skid steer loader equipped with front forks to pry off the planks. Without his knowledge the victim entered the work area. One plank snapped in tow and a piece struck the victim in the head knocking him to the ground. The man seemed to be recovering well in the hospital, but suddenly had a heart attack and died. He had cardiac risk factors, but cause of death was ruled from his head injury.

Summary Case Report: 41-year-old construction worker was performing general labor for a farmer, using a wide-front tractor equipped with front-end loader to remove fencing. When driving the tractor down a hill, the man went too fast and skidded over an embankment to a creek. The loader hit a tree causing the tractor to rollover in the creek. The man was pushed down into the creek mud, then the tractor started on fire. He died from chest injuries.

Summary Case Report: 38-year-old owner of a transportation company was driving a company van down an interstate highway in nearly white-out blizzard conditions. A semi truck traveling in the opposite lane left the roadway, entered the median, and struck the van head-on. The man was wearing a seatbelt but was killed instantly.

Summary Case Report: 41-year-old billboard painter was on top of a billboard in process of changing his position to paint a different section of the billboard. His partner was on the ground getting more paint. Suddenly the victim fell off the sign landing on a telephone pole which was lying flat on the ground. The man was unconscious immediately after the fall. He was taken to a hospital and airlifted to another hospital. He died later that evening from intrathoracic injuries. The partner stated that normally they use a control harness while on top of billboards, but this particular sign did not any attachment points.

Summary Case Report: 51-year-old hog farmer was driving a 6-wheel (Gator) vehicle, leaving his farm residence to go check hog finishing buildings. When he pulled out of his farm lane onto a gravel road, a car driven by an elderly neighbor hit the 6-wheeler causing the farmer to fly upward and hit his head on the back of the car. The farmer died the next day from head injuries. There was good visibility of the farm lane from the road, however the driver apparently did not see the farmer for he did not apply brakes nor swerve to the other side of the road.

Summary Case Report: 71-year-old farmer was driving a tractor with an attached rear rotary mower cutting thistles in his farm field. He was found dead later in the day lying on his back in the field with the tractor 1/2 mile from him. The tractor PTO was off, but the ignition was ON with the throttle set for cutting. The event was unwitnessed. The victim's injuries to his face and chest indicate he was run over by the wheel of the mower, and that he walked some distance after injury before he had to lie down to rest. He may have slipped while mounting or dismounting the tractor.

Summary Case Report: 64-year-old education consultant was driving his car down a 2-lane state highway on a business trip when he crossed the centerline and crashed into a semi truck. The man was killed instantly. He was wearing a seatbelt. Toxicology showed the victim was intoxicated.

Summary Case Report: 44-year-old minister was driving his car down a state highway on church business. He apparently ran a stop sign or had difficulty entering another highway at an intersection and was hit by another vehicle. He died of closed chest trauma.

Summary Case Report: 21 year-old driver of a milk truck was driving down a gravel road when a man in a pickup truck ran through a stop sign at a gravel to gravel intersection. The milk truck driver slammed on his brakes, hit the truck in the rear, and both vehicles went into the ditch, the milk truck rolling over. Neither driver was wearing a seatbelt and both were ejected during the collision. The victim died from a crushed chest.

Summary Case Report: 58-year-old owner of a feed business and turkey operation was standing on a ladder repairing a motor in the rafters of a pole building. Suddenly he fell to the ground landing on his head. He did not have a heart condition or other illness. The man sustained severe head injuries and rapidly deteriorated in the hospital, and died later that day. The pole building had a dirt floor. No autopsy was performed.

Summary Case Report: 24-year-old self-employed lineman was working by himself in a cherry picker, installing a new line for an industrial plant. The man normally worked with his father in the business, but was working alone this day. The man was found electrocuted while still in the cherry picker bucket.

Summary Case Report: 26-year-old laborer in a meat packing plant was working in a refrigerated warehouse on the third level of an open mezzanine, where meat products are sorted and stacked. The work area has gates that allow forklift access to the palleted products. The victim was standing close to one of these gates, which was not completely shut or latched. He was writing down a recipe that a co-worker had given him, and apparently slipped or stumbled, causing him to fall through the gate, landing on a concrete surface below, suffering fatal head injuries.

Summary Case Report: 56 -year-old farmer was cutting corn stalks with an old narrow-front tractor pulling a rotary mower. The man's good tractor was in the shop, and he was using his old tractor which had a bad seat on it. While cutting stalks he drove through a washout area and the entire seat, and the farmer slid off the back of the tractor. The farmer fell into the washout and the mower ran over him striking him in the head and face. He was found dead the next day by relatives and the Sheriff. Sources said old tractors of this type are known for having a bad catch on the seat slide, and seats can easily come off if damaged. Full Report