One victim died and a second victim was transported to a trauma center after a farm accident led to a live power line falling down near Marengo Monday evening.
McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, Boone County Sheriff’s Office and Boone County Fire District #2 responded around 5:15 p.m. Monday to the area of County Line Road and Jackson Road in unincorporated Marengo for a report of a farm accident.
The accident occurred south of the intersection on the McHenry County side of the border.
Firefighters arrived and found one victim down on the ground and a second victim inside a tractor unable to get out, according to Boone County Fire District #2 Chief Jay Diebold.
A power line was down on the ground between the tractor and a semi-truck, Diebold said.
ComEd was notified and responded to the scene to de-energize the power line before emergency crews could approach.
It was confirmed that the power was shut down and first responders moved into the scene to provide treatment to the two victims, Diebold said.
The victim who was down on the ground was pronounced dead at the scene.
Diebold said the victim who was in the tractor was removed by firefighters and transported to OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford for treatment. Their condition was not released.
“Harvest season is still underway, and we remind the public and local farmers to be aware of your surroundings on the roadway, overhead, and for drivers to be on the lookout for deer that will be moving due to the fields being harvested,” Diebold said.
Deputies shut down County Line Road between Grange Road and Jackson Road for several hours and asked the community to avoid the area until around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday when the road reopened.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office is leading an investigation into the incident but has not released information surrounding the circumstances of it.