Mark Klaassen, 37, was one of three farmers in the grain bin
NEED TO KNOW
- Mark Klaassen and two other farmers were working inside a grain bin in Newton, Kan., on Saturday, Feb. 21
- As they worked on the soybeans, the beans shifted, trapping and injuring Klaassen
- Authorities later pronounced him dead at the scene
A man was killed in a grain bin accident in Newton, Kan., on Saturday, Feb. 21, according to the Harvey County Sheriff’s Office's (HCSO) news release.
Police were called to South Spencer Rd. around 2:30 p.m. local time. "Three men were working to level and empty soybeans inside a large grain bin," the HCSO said in its release. "The contents suddenly shifted, trapping one of the men."
The man was pronounced dead at the scene, and his death was ruled an accident, per the HCSO. The other two men in the bin escaped without being hurt.
Mark Klaassen, 37, was identified as the deceased victim, KSN reported, citing the HCSO.
Klaassen is survived by his parents, Dallas and Gerri, his three brothers, Brad, Derik, and Cory, his wife Kristie Harder, and their four children: Dayton, 9, Carley, 7, Emmy, 5, and Breann, 3, according to his obituary.
"Mark cared deeply for his family," the obituary read. He was an active member at his church, Emmaus Church, and served as chairman of the Trustee board and head of the security team.
He also worked on the Newton Township board and Soil Conservation District. "His heart was in farming."
Grain entrapment is one of the deadliest and most preventable hazards in U.S. farming, according to West Side Salvage.
In 2023, there were a total of 27 cases of grain entrapment, including 16 fatalities, according to Purdue University’s 2023 Agricultural Confined Space Incident Summary. In 2024, there were 51 cases and 22 deaths, per the university's 2024 summary.
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PEOPLE reached out to the Harvey County Sheriff’s Office for comment.
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