VIDEO: Investigators are still looking into what caused an elevator explosion in Fremont, Nebraska on Tuesday that killed three people, including a dad and his two daughters. Authorities believe the blast was likely a dust explosion, but wonโt be able to confirm that for some time.
It had us thinking back to a similar tragedy that unfolded 40 years ago in the small town of Marion, South Dakota. It was in early November of 1985, at the height of harvest season when the co-op elevator in Marion exploded. โSuch a tremendous explosion that everybody knew that something had happened and they just responded,โ
KELOLAND News sent our Perry Groten to cover the tragic event, who was on the phone live with our news anchor at the time. โJust a few minutes ago, rescuers pulled out Dennis Herlyn, who is an area farmer, who was trapped in the wreckage,โ Groten reported.
The explosion killed three people: Keith Schoenwald, Delbert Dick, and Roger Schultz. โThese were vital people in our community; everyone knew them, the community is saddened.โ Four others were seriously injured and burned. Rescuers worked frantically that night under the cover of darkness digging through 40 thousand bushels of grain to try and get to the victims.
