Executive Summary
- Enrique Perez, 34, died after becoming trapped in a grain bin at a CHS elevator in Ramsey County, North Dakota.
- Emergency crews utilized specialized extraction procedures but were unable to save the victim.
- Investigators ruled the death accidental and noted the victim was not wearing a safety harness.
A 34-year-old man from Leeds, North Dakota, has been identified as the victim of a fatal industrial accident involving a grain bin in Ramsey County. According to the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, Enrique Perez died on January 14 following an entrapment incident at the CHS elevator facility.
Emergency personnel responded to the site located at 3919 14th Street West, where they discovered Perez engulfed in a grain pit filled with corn. First responders engaged in extensive rescue efforts, which included corn removal techniques and specialized extraction procedures attempting to free the victim. Despite these measures, Perez was pronounced deceased at the scene.
A preliminary investigation conducted by local authorities indicates that the incident was accidental, and investigators stated that no foul play is suspected. The Sheriff’s Office determined that Perez was not wearing a proper safety harness at the time he entered the grain pit.
Agricultural Safety Oversight
This fatality underscores the critical risks associated with agricultural confinement and grain storage operations. Following the incident, the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office issued a formal reminder urging all agricultural workers to strictly adhere to grain bin safety protocols, specifically regarding the use of mandated safety equipment. The rapid nature of grain entrapment makes preventative adherence to safety guidelines, such as the utilization of harnesses, a vital component in reducing industrial mortality rates in the agricultural sector.
