20-Year-Old Hillsdale Graduate Dies Following Grain Bin Incident
MILTON TOWNSHIP — A 20-year-old Hillsdale High School graduate died Wednesday following an incident inside a grain bin in Ashland County.
According to the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, its Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call at approximately 2:38 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, reporting that a person was trapped inside a grain bin at 1190 Township Road 1656 in Milton Township.
Deputies and members of the Ashland Fire Division responded to the scene, where they learned a male worker was inside the grain bin and was not responding to radio transmissions.
First responders immediately began rescue operations, located the worker and removed him from the grain bin.
The worker was identified as Ian Atkinson, 20, of Hayesville. Atkinson was transported by emergency medical personnel to University Hospitals Samaritan Medical Center in Ashland, where he died from his injuries.
Hillsdale Local Schools later sent an email notification to families and community members mourning Atkinson’s death.
“Today, the Hillsdale family mourns the heartbreaking loss of one of our graduates, Ian Atkinson, who passed away in a tragic farming accident,” the district stated. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Ian’s family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched during this incredibly difficult time.”
Grief counselors will be available for students, staff and community members in the Hillsdale Auditorium from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, July 23. Anyone needing support is encouraged to attend.
The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident with assistance from the Ashland County Coroner’s Office.
Sheriff Kurt J. Schneider said additional information will be released once the investigation is complete.
