Two off-duty volunteer firefighters, Nathan Doody and Tyler Memory, tragically died after falling into a manure tanker at a cattle farm in upstate New York. The men were working their day jobs when they passed out and tumbled into the tanker after being overcome by noxious fumes. One of the men had attempted to retrieve a piece of equipment that had fallen into the tanker, only to pass out and fall inside. When the other man tried to rescue the first, he also passed out and fell in.
The farm staff found the unconscious men inside the tanker and called 911. Paramedics took the men to a local hospital where they were pronounced dead. Memory, a third-generation firefighter, had been a veteran of the Tully Joint Fire Department for 15 years, having joined at just 14 years old. Doody was a volunteer at the Cuyler Fire Department for 10 years. Both men had been employed as manure tanker drivers and were well-respected members of their fire departments.
Champion Farms, where the tragic incident occurred, is a 10th-generation beef and dairy farm that has been in operation since the early 1800s. The farm sits on 3,500 acres about 250 miles northwest of Manhattan. Manure fumes are known to produce toxic gases that can be deadly to humans and livestock at high concentrations. Hydrogen sulfide, the most dangerous of these gases, can cause symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, and unconsciousness. At high levels, hydrogen sulfide can kill a person in just one or two breaths.
The National Agricultural Safety Database warns of the dangers of manure pits and storage facilities, where toxic gases like hydrogen sulfide can accumulate. In a similar incident in 2021, three Ohio brothers died from fume exposure while working to fix a pump inside a manure storage pit on their family farm. These tragedies highlight the importance of safety protocols and awareness when working around manure tanks and similar environments, where the risk of toxic gas exposure is high.
The deaths of Nathan Doody and Tyler Memory have deeply affected their respective fire departments and communities. Memory was remembered as a dedicated firefighter who had served his community for many years, while Doody was known for his commitment to volunteering and helping others. The circumstances surrounding their deaths serve as a reminder of the dangers that can exist in agricultural settings and the importance of following safety guidelines and precautions when working with hazardous materials like manure.
The loss of these two brave firefighters has left a void in the hearts of their loved ones and colleagues. The tragic accident serves as a sobering reminder of the risks that first responders face in the line of duty, even when they are off duty. The fire service community mourns the loss of two dedicated individuals who gave so much to others. Their legacy will be remembered and honored as a testament to their selflessness and bravery in the face of danger.
