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NEW details have emerged about a supposed accident at a dairy ranch that led to the deaths of several people.
The accident that authorities suspect was caused by gas exposure killed six people in total, including a high school student.
Law enforcement rushed to the dairy operation on Wednesday in Weld County, Colorado, a rural farming community an hour north of Denver, where they found the six bodies.
“Crews responded and took appropriate precautions to enter the confined space to perform rescue operations,” the Southeast Weld Fire Protection District wrote.
“Unfortunately, District personnel recovered six deceased individuals from the space.”
Investigators are still looking into the type of gas that the victims may have been exposed to.
“We are investigating these deaths as the possible consequence of gas exposure in a confined space,” Jolene Weiner, chief deputy coroner for Weld County, told The Associated Press.
The six victims were not identified, but authorities confirmed they were all Hispanic males.
No other information regarding name or age has been released.
One of the school districts confirmed that one of the deceased was a student at the high school.
“Our thoughts are with the student’s family and friends during this difficult time, and we extend our sincere condolences to all who are impacted by this loss,” the Highland High School wrote to ABC affiliate KMGH-TV.
Melissa Chesmore, a Weld County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson, told the outlet that they don’t believe any foul play occurred.
“It looks like an accident,” she said.
“At this early stage, we have no further details,” Chauntra Rideaux, a U.S. Department of Labor spokesperson, wrote.
Rideaux confirmed that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was investigating the incident.
The Dairy Farmers of America, a milk marketing cooperative, told KMGH-TV that the incident happened at a member farm.
“We are deeply saddened by this incident, and our thoughts and most sincere condolences go out to the friends and families of the deceased,” Dairy Farmers of America wrote,
A former employee at the location told the outlet that his friends, who have worked at the ranch for years, were the ones who died.
“They started working here about six years ago,” the man, who identified himself as Inés, said.
“They couldn’t tell me what happened, but something happened.
“That’s why I came because they were my friends.”