Agricultural safety experts comment on Clinton farm accident | News

CLINTON, NY – There is a hidden danger lurking in farm manure trucks. One such danger cost the lives of two men in Clinton on Thursday.

Kirkland Police are currently investigating an incident that occurred on Champion Road in Clinton.

“It’s hydrogen sulfide poisoning. Hydrogen sulfide is a gas found in manure pits. In low concentrations it can cause eye irritation and in high concentrations it can quickly lead to unconsciousness and death,” explains Dan Neenan, director of the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety.

The two men, 33-year-old Nathan Doody of DeRuyter and 29-year-old Tyler Memory of Tully, were likely overcome by the gas after a tool fell into the tank.

One man tried to grab the tool and was incapacitated. Then the second man tried to help him.

“That’s your automatic reaction. You want to try to help them, but in reality the best thing to do is step back and call 911. It’s counterintuitive, but you’re not being any help if you go in and become incapacitated,” Neenan said.

Dr. Jason Oliver of Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Science said it is important to note that hydrogen sulfide is not toxic when spread on a field.

“You might smell the manure when it’s spread on a field, but the emissions are still far from dangerous or even risky levels at that point. These types of accidents happen in confined spaces. So you’re talking about manure getting into a tank or an underground pit. Those most at risk are the farm workers and the people who handle the manure,” said Dr Oliver.