UPDATE: Authorities identify man trapped and killed in grain bin

June 18, 2020

GRAFTON, N.D.—A man who died when he was buried in a grain bin filled with canola in northeastern North Dakota has been identified.

Walsh County Sheriff Ron Jurgens says he was 50-year-old Thomas Shirek of Park River, North Dakota.

Jurgens says Shirek was attempting to break the crust that had developed in the bin when he became trapped. Shirek was a member of a family farming operation.

Four fire departments responded to the call south of Adams, North Dakota shortly before 3 p.m. Monday.