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.
Man Films Himself Attempting to Be Eaten Alive by a Snake
Paul Rosolie, a seasoned conservationist and passionate advocate for the Amazon rainforest, embarked on an extraordinary and controversial mission: he attempted to be eaten alive by a giant green anaconda.
His goal? To raise global awareness about the alarming rate of deforestation and the destruction of one of the world’s most vital ecosystems.
Having spent years studying the Amazon’s rich biodiversity, Rosolie wanted to create a bold statement that would capture worldwide attention. Equipped with a custom-built carbon fiber suit designed to endure the crushing force of the snake’s coils, an integrated oxygen supply, and multiple cameras attached to document the experience, he approached the massive predator.
The entire endeavor was captured in a Discovery Channel documentary. Despite the advanced protective suit, Rosolie described the immense physical strain he endured as the snake began to constrict him. “I’m getting coils over me,” he said during the harrowing encounter. “She’s got my arms pinned. She knows there’s nothing I can do.”
As the snake tightened its grip, Rosolie’s breathing became labored, and his heart rate skyrocketed. Eventually, the monitoring team intervened and freed him from the snake’s crushing embrace before the situation became critical.
Reflecting on the experience in an article for The Guardian, Rosolie admitted feeling a mix of grim amusement and frustration over the sensationalized marketing of the documentary. The stunt sparked backlash from animal welfare groups and segments of the public, raising questions about the ethics of such an experiment.
“I was willing to try something risky and, yes, maybe ridiculous, to draw attention to a place and a species I deeply care about,” Rosolie explained. “If offering myself to a snake was the cost of bringing awareness to the Amazon’s plight, then I was prepared to pay it.”
For two intense hours, Rosolie remained trapped in the suffocating suit, experiencing the raw power of one of nature’s most formidable predators. His controversial experiment ignited global conversations about conservation, the fragility of the Amazon rainforest, and the urgent need for action.
Whether viewed as reckless or heroic, Paul Rosolie’s bold stunt undeniably succeeded in shining a spotlight on an environmental crisis that demands our immediate attention.
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