A farm-related incident in the Plain community resulted in a fatal injury Nov. 14 in the town of Clinton, according to Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson.
At about 11 a.m., the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch Center was notified that a 15-year-old female had sustained serious injuries after being run over by a wagon on private property, near Anderson Road.
The female was riding on a horse-drawn, two-wheel cart with a standing-only platform, driven by an 18-year-old male of rural Westby. The horses became startled when the male threw a rock from the cart after the rock had been removed from the field. The female fell onto the ground and was run over by a wagon attached to the forecart. The wagon was loaded with ear corn picked from the field.
The female was flown to Gundersen by GundersenAIR to Gundersen Health System (Emplify) in La Crosse, where she died in the early afternoon on the same day.
At the scene with the sheriff’s office were Westby Emergency Medical Services, La Farge Area Ambulance, Cashton Fire Department, Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance, and GundersenAIR.
The incident remains under investigation by the sheriff’s office and the Office of Vernon County Coroner Betty Nigh.
Torgerson said, “Coroner Nigh and I are saddened by this tragic loss of life. Our hearts go out to a grieving family and their community. We also recognize and appreciate all who responded. Faced with a very difficult situation, the entire team remained steadfast amidst the challenges. From the calmness of the 911 dispatchers to the deputies and all emergency responders, a heartbreaking situation was handled professionally and with utmost empathy.”
