Authorities are investigating the death of an 82-year-old Tippecanoe, IN, man who died Wednesday afternoon when he was engulfed by corn inside a grain bin, reports the Times-Reporter.
The victim, Howard Burdette, and his son were checking the moisture content inside the grain bin when a set of doors opened, allowing corn to fill the bin and cover both men.
The victim was reportedly knocked to the ground face down and was quickly covered by corn as the pair tried to close the doors.
According to Harrison County Sheriff Ronald Myers, the son was able to free himself and went to the farmhouse about a quarter of a mile away to call for help, because cellphone service was not available at the scene. The accident was reported just before 4:40 p.m. via a call from the victim’s wife.
