Bridgewater, Va.
Deadly methane gas emanating from a dairy farm's manure pit killed five people, including four members of a Mennonite family, authorities said.Emergency workers speculate that after the first victim was overcome Monday, the others climbed into the pit in a frantic rescue attempt. "It was a domino effect with one person going in, the second person going after them," Rockingham County Sheriff Don Farley said.
Farley identified the victims as Scott Showalter, 34; his wife, Phyillis, 33; their daughters Shayla, 11, and Christina, 9; and Amous Stoltzfus, 24, who worked at the Showalters' dairy farm in the Briery Branch community. The couple also had two younger daughters.
Sonny Layman, another farmhand, said Tuesday he tried to save Phyillis Showalter by hooking her onto a grate and pulling her up.
Read More
