An aerial photo of the Union Mills Co-op from Indiana Prairie Farmer magazine.
An employee at the Union Mills facility of the LaPorte County Co-Alliance, 3551 W. 800 South, Union Mills, was killed Monday afternoon, June 24, 2013, when a concrete grain silo exploded. The man has been identified as James Swank, 67, of Union Mills.
The blast occurred at about 1:29 p.m. CST, according to a LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office press release. Swank was working atop the silo at the time, according to reports. All other employees were accounted for and no other injuries were reported, police said. The silo stood adjacent to a railroad spur on the grounds of the co-op. No hazardous chemicals were involved or released as a result of the explosion and it is not believed that a fire was involved, the press release stated. The cause was being investigated.
Several people reported the explosion via 911. Among emergency units at the scene were Noble Township Fire Department, county EMS and county police.
An April 2013 article in the Indiana Prairie Farmer magazine reported that the co-op was being expanded. To view that article, click on the following link:
http://farmprogress.com/story-fertilizer-access-made-easy-new-hub-9-97186
For more, click on this WSBT story link:
http://www.wsbt.com/news/wsbt-breaking-news-explosion-at-fertilizer-plant-20130624,0,5395826.story