KEENESBURG, Colo. — The Weld County Coroner's Office on Friday released the identities of the six people killed at a dairy earlier this week, as questions remain about the deadly accident in Keenesburg.
Six people, including a high school student and his father, died in what Weld County authorities initially called a “dairy accident” at a dairy at Prospect Ranch. The victims are all male, and their ages range from 17 to 50.
Denver7 continues to learn more about the victims of the deadly accident, who were identified as follows.
Oscar Espinoza Leos, 17, of Nunn:
17-year-old Oscar Espinoza Leos was a student at Highland High School in Ault and the son of Alejandro Espinoza Cruz, who was also killed in the accident. Oscar was helping his father out before returning to school, sources told Denver7.
District officials with Highland High School confirmed the student's passing Thursday in a statement to Denver7.
The Weld Re-9 School District is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of a Highland High School student in a tragic confinement incident at a local dairy last night. This tragedy has deeply affected our school district and community.
Counseling and support services have been made available to students and staff alike, and the district is committed to continue providing assistance to those in need. 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.
Alejandro Espinoza Cruz, 50, of Nunn:
Alejandro Espinoza Cruz was the father of Oscar Espinoza Leos, the 17-year-old boy who was also killed in the accident. Oscar was helping his father out before returning to school, sources told Denver7.
Jorge Sanchez Pena, 36, of Greeley:
Carlos Espinoza Prado, 29, of Evans:
Ricardo Gomez Galvan, 40, of Keenesburg
Noe Montanez Casanas, 32, of Keenesburg
The Weld County Coroner’s Office said Thursday preliminary findings showed they all died as a “result of gas exposure in a confined space,” though a final determination for a cause and manner of death for all six was pending autopsy and toxicology results. In an update on Friday, the coroner's office said autopsies have been completed, and officials are awaiting the results of further testing.
Two separate sources in the dairy industry with knowledge of the deadly incident told Denver7 earlier Friday that a worker went into a manure pit to possibly “adjust a valve” when, they suspect, the worker accidentally turned on a valve or pump with his phone, which caused a release of hydrogen sulfide. The toxic gas is formed as a result of decomposing animal manure and can lead to immediate death in high concentrations.
The sources said that the worker immediately collapsed before five others rushed in to save him, despite an on-site supervisor yelling at them not to go in.
A GoFundMe page has been set up on behalf of some of the workers who died in the accident.
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