Coroner: Manure Tank Fumes Kill Wisconsin Farmer, More Than A Dozen Cows

AMHERST, Wis. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A coroner says a Wisconsin farmer and more than a dozen cattle died when they became overcome by fumes from a huge manure holding tank.

WAOW-TV reports that 29-year-old Michael Biadasz was found by other farm workers early Monday when they arrived at Biadasz Farms near Amherst to haul away manure from the football field-sized tank.

Portage County Coroner Scott Rifleman said Tuesday that the deaths of Biadasz and at least 13 cows are under investigation, but that they were probably overcome by methane or sulfur oxide. Rifleman says the farmer agitated the tank and that this, along with warm upper air temperatures, created a deadly dome of air.

"I know of 13 dead cows. There were others that were sick. I am unsure if any more died," Rifleman told WAOW. "The family is devastated, absolutely devastated."

Other cows were also sickened by the fumes.

Amherst is about 140 miles northwest of Milwaukee.

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