LOWVILLE, N.Y. — New York State Police are investigating a fatal agricultural/industrial accident that happened over the weekend in Lewis County.
An investigation found that Ryan C. Ouellette, 32, of Lowville, was tending to a large integrity manure separator around 8 a.m. Sunday at the Marks Dairy Farm in Lowville when his head became trapped by a roller inside the machine, according to police. It is currently unknown how his head became caught.
Oullette was later found about 20 to 30 minutes later by a co-worker, police said.
Lewis County Search and Rescue transported Oullette from the scene to Lewis County General Hospital and was later transported to Upstate University Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
An investigation of the incident is ongoing.
Marks Farms is a large family-owned dairy farm nestled in the beautiful upstate New York town of Lowville.
LOWVILLE, NY- Ryan C. Ouellette, 32, of State Route 26, Lowville, died Sunday, November 19, 2017, at Upstate University Hospital, Syracuse.
The funeral will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, November 24, 2017 at Iseneker Funeral Home, Inc., 5702 Waters Road, Lowville with The Dr. Leon Runner, Pastor of Lowville Baptist Church, officiating. A calling hour will be from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. prior to the funeral service, at the funeral home. Contributions may be made to Lewis County Search & Rescue, 7782 West State Street, Lowville, NY 13367.
Surviving are four children, Zoe, Mason, Ellie and Karlie Ouellette; his mother and her companion, Jill Hirschy and Scot Ielfield of Lowville; his father, Larry Ouellette of Hot Springs, Arkansas; maternal grandmother, Judy Hirschy of Lowville; his siblings, Heather Merry and her husband Matt of Watson, Travis Ouellette of Lowville, Rebecca Ouellette of Rome, Georgia; his step-brothers, Mike, Steve and Todd Ielfield; several aunts, uncles, great-aunts, great-uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He is predeceased by his maternal grandfather, Junior Hirschy, and paternal grandparents, Leo and Rose Ouellette.
Ryan was born on February 22, 1985 in Watertown, NY, a son of Larry and Jill Hirschy Ouellette. He attended Lowville Academy and worked on area farms. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing and camping. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his children.
Condolences may be made online at www.isenekerfuneralhome.com.
=================
Marks Farms worker dies from injuries suffered in farm accident
PUBLISHED: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2017 AT 5:15 AM
MARTINSBURG, NY — A worker at Lewis County’s largest dairy died from injuries suffered in a farm accident Sunday morning.
State police said Ryan C. Ouelette, 32, Lowville, was tending to a large integrity manure separator at Marks Farms, 6314 Cannan Road, when, for an unknown reason, his head became trapped by the roller inside the machine.
He was found trapped in the machine 20 to 30 minutes later by a co-worker and was eventually freed from the equipment, police said.
Mr. Ouelette was taken to Lewis County General Hospital, Lowville, then transferred to Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, where he was pronounced dead from his injuries.
An investigation is continuing, police said.
An employee at the town of Martinsburg dairy said farm officials could not comment because of the ongoing investigation.