NEW details have emerged about a supposed accident at a dairy ranch that led to the deaths of several people.
The accident that authorities suspect was caused by gas exposure killed six people in total, including a high school student.
Authorities swiftly arrived at a dairy farm in Weld County, Colorado, an agricultural area located about an hour from Denver, where they discovered six deceased individuals.
“Teams arrived and implemented necessary safety measures to access the enclosed area for rescue operations,” stated the Southeast Weld Fire Protection District.
“Unfortunately, District personnel recovered six deceased individuals from the space.”
Investigators are still looking into the type of gas that the victims may have been exposed to.
“We are examining these fatalities as potentially resulting from gas exposure in a confined area,” explained Jolene Weiner, chief deputy coroner for Weld County, to The Associated Press.
The six victims were not identified, but authorities confirmed they were all Hispanic males.
No other information regarding name or age has been released.
One of the school districts confirmed that one of the deceased was a student at the high school.
“Our condolences go out to the student’s family and friends during this challenging period, and we send our heartfelt sympathies to everyone affected by this tragedy,” Highland High School informed ABC affiliate KMGH-TV.
Melissa Chesmore, a Weld County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson, told the outlet that they don’t believe any foul play occurred.
“It looks like an accident,” she said.
“At this early stage, we have no further details,” Chauntra Rideaux, a U.S. Department of Labor spokesperson, wrote.
Rideaux confirmed that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was investigating the incident.
The Dairy Farmers of America, a milk marketing cooperative, told KMGH-TV that the incident happened at a member farm.
“We are heartbroken by this event, and offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who passed away,” Dairy Farmers of America expressed.
A former employee at the location told the outlet that his friends, who have worked at the ranch for years, were the ones who died.
“They started working here about six years ago,” the man, who identified himself as Inés, said.
“They couldn’t tell me what happened, but something happened.
“That’s why I came, because they were my friends.”
