Note: we are republishing this story to raise awareness for the Mike Biadasz farm safety and education memorial fund. Learn more at their Facebook page here as well as their website here.
A farmer and 16 of his cattle have died in a freak accident after a “dеаdly dome of air” formed in a Wisconsin farm’s manure holding tank.!!
According to WAOW, a 29-year-old farmer named Michael Biadasz, from Amherst, Wisconsin, died of gas poisoning on his family’s farm after being overcome by fumes of either methane or sulfur oxide. Initially, 13 of the farm’s cattle died as well; later, three more expired, bringing the total to 16 cattle dеаths.
The 29-year-old’s father, Bob Biadasz, co-owner of Biadasz Farms, said that the tragedy was the result of a “perfect storm” of unusual and unexpected weather conditions. When the tank was prepped to be pumped, warm upper air temperatures trapped the gases in a dome of air which then poisoned Michael and the cattle.
Biadasz was reportedly found dеаd when other workers arrived to begin hauling manure away from the tank.
“The family is devastated, absolutely devastated,” Portage County Coroner Scott Rifleman told WAOW.
Rifleman told WSAW that gas poisoning dеаths typically occur in closed areas, making the incident even more surprising. The coroner said that atmospheric pressure prevented the gases from dissipating.
The coroner went on to say that an investigation is underway to determine exactly what caused Biadasz’s dеаth. According to Rifleman, Biadasz had safely emptied the same tank hundreds of times prior to the fatal incident.
The Biadasz family honored Michael by parking a line of tractors and machinery along the road that passes the farm. Among the vehicles parked are a blue tractor, several red trucks, and Michael’s black pickup truck…
“As if there isn’t already enough dаngеr in the lives of farmers, this family had to suffer this freak accident,” one Facebook user commented on the story. “So sad.”
Following the tragic accident, many are calling for tougher regulations to be placed on manure holding tanks to prevent a similar incident in the future. According to All That’s News, the National Agriculture Safety Database says that there should be proper ventilation in areas where animals are stored and that warning signs must be posted nearby.
“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,” the NASD writes.
WASW reports that a similar unfortunate fate befell a Virginia family in 2007, when five of its members died as a result of a pipe blockage that caused a fatal buildup of methane gas.
Skiing Sensation Matilde Lorenzi’s Shocking Loses Her Life at 19
Italian skier Matilde Lorenzi tragically lost her life in a skiing accident. She was training on the Grawand G1 slope in Val Senes when she fell.
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) expressed their sadness on Instagram over the tragic passing of Italian skier Matilde Lorenzi, who was only 19.
They posted a touching black-and-white photo of Lorenzi, sharing that the news was first confirmed by the Italian Ministry of Defense.
In their statement, FIS said they stand with FISI President Flavio Roda and the entire Italian winter sports community, including coaches, athletes, teammates, and staff, as they mourn Lorenzi’s loss.
At the end, the federation shared their deep sadness, mourning alongside Lorenzi’s family and friends. Joining them, the Ministry of Defense and its Minister Guido Crosetto posted a message in Italian, honoring the young Army athlete and offering support to Lorenzi’s family.
The Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI) also posted a statement on their website, including details of her funeral. They announced that it would be held on Thursday, October 31, at 10 AM in Giaveno at San Lorenzo parish.
Lorenzi’s family asked for donations instead of flowers to support the “Project in Memory of Matildina.
The Italian Army’s sports branch, Centro Sportivo Esercito, honored Lorenzi on Instagram. Their heartfelt caption, translated from Italian, read, “Too soon!! This is the only thought in our hearts during this time of sorrow.
They continued, “We stand with your family and Lucrezia, comforted that you were doing what you loved. Take a few more turns for us and watch over those who loved you.”
Lorenzi’s boyfriend, Federico Tomasoni, has also been sharing memories of her on Instagram. In one post, he wrote, “You are the most beautiful thing that life could ever give me.
I love you, little star ,” along with a close-up of their hands as he held hers.
Another memory showed Lorenzi by the beach, replying “Ciao” to Tomasoni’s greeting.
Before her passing, Lorenzi’s last Instagram post featured photos of a sunset in Ibiza. Among these images was one of her with Tomasoni, her arms around him, with a caption that read, “chasing sunsets in ibiza [sic].”
We offer our deepest condolences to Lorenzi’s family, boyfriend, friends, colleagues, and loved ones as they cope with this immense loss.
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