The Weld Re-9 School District has confirmed that a Highland High School student was among the six people found dead Wednesday at a dairy east of Keenesburg.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident as a possible gas exposure in a confined space that took the lives of six men at Prospect Valley Dairy, 32063 Weld County Road 18. The Weld County Coroner’s Office said Thursday evening that autopsies are still being completed, according to Chief Deputy Coroner Jolene Weiner.
The school district shared that the incident involved a student on Thursday night via Facebook post. The post said students and staff will have counseling and support services made available to them, and the district remains committed to assisting those who need it.
“This tragedy has deeply affected our school district and community,” the Weld RE-9 post said. “Our thoughts are with the student’s family and friends during this difficult time, and we extend our sincere condolences to all who are impacted by this loss.”
Around 6 p.m., the Southeast Weld Fire Protection District responded to a call for a confined space rescue at the dairy. On the scene, crews found six people dead.
Initial communications about the incident were reported as a burst pipe. On the scene, first responders noted five men with possible high levels of H2S, or hydrogen sulfide.
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration stated that hydrogen sulfide occurs naturally in crude petroleum and natural gas, but is also produced from decomposing manure. Low doses of exposure to H2S can cause mild irritation to people’s eyes and respiratory system, but exposure to large amounts in a confined space can quickly become deadly.
The administration will not release any further information until its investigation is complete.
“We are deeply saddened by this incident,” the cooperative of dairy farmers said in a statement. “And our thoughts and most sincere condolences go out to the friends and families of the deceased. At this early stage, we have no further details.”
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