CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — Update, 2:30 p.m. (May 3): The Cumberland County Coroner's Office identified the victim as Daniel L. Burkholder, 68, of Carlisle.
The coroner determined Burkholder died of asphyxiation complicated by a myocardial infarction.
The investigation determined Burkholder was working in the silo when he was overcome by gases caused by the fermentation of the contents of the silo.
His death is ruled accidental, the coroner said.
Previously
Emergency crews recovered the body of a man who died in a silo Monday evening in Cumberland County.
According to county officials, crews responded to reports of a 68-year-old man laying on a loader in the silo on the 1500 block of Rock Ledge Drive in South Middleton Township around 6:30 p.m.
When they arrived, emergency crews tested the oxygen levels in the silo, finding them to be at 17%. On its website, OSHA says levels below 19.5% are "oxygen-deficient" and immediately dangerous to life or health.
Officials say the silo was full of silage, which releases gasses, causing the drop in oxygen levels.
A Cumberland County spokesperson says, despite the low oxygen levels, officials are currently unsure whether the man died from lack of oxygen or another reason such as medical issues.
Crews set up rigging to pull out the man's body, which officials say was about 40 to 50 feet up in the silo.
Officials say the body was recovered at 9:50 p.m.
No other injuries or deaths have been reported.
