On June 28, 2026, a fatal farming accident occurred in Crane Township, Paulding County, Ohio, involving a tractor pulling an anhydrous ammonia “nurse” tank. The farmer, 59, was killed. He was driving a John Deere 9220 tractor pulling an anhydrous ammonia tank through a field. Just after 4:00 PM, the machinery struck and crashed into a large ditch. The impact ruptured the nurse tank, causing a significant leak of anhydrous ammonia. Witnesses nearby reported hearing a loud pop before the tractor cabin was completely enveloped by the chemical.
The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office and the Crane Township-Cecil Fire Department arrived at 4:11 PM. Because the leaking gas presented an immediate lethal threat, first responders could not safely approach the vehicle right away. Multiple surrounding fire departments and the Paulding County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) were dispatched to establish a perimeter and control the leak. Once the hazmat scene was stabilized, responders accessed the cab and found the farmer deceased. The Paulding County Coroner initiated a joint investigation with the Lucas County morgue to pinpoint the exact cause of death.