Authorities have identified the victim in a farm accident in north central Iowa and have revealed the accident happened on a farm owned by Governor Terry Branstad’s brother.
Branstad Farms, which is owned by Monroe “Monte” Branstad, is located south of Forest City. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office reports 46-year-old Julian Santos Martinez of Buffalo Center fell down an enclosed silo chute and died at the scene. Officials estimate Martinez fell from a height of at least 30 feet and died of injuries sustained in the fall.
Authorities received a 911 call from the farm at about 9 a.m. Monday. Officials say their investigation of the incident is not yet complete.
(Reporting by A.J. Taylor, KIOW, Forest City)