NEWS MEDIA INFORMATION REPORT
SUBJECT OF RELEASE: Farming Accident
DATE AND TIME: March 11, 2019 at 7:02 p.m.
LOCATION: S. Johnson Road, Gowen, MI
AUTHORITY/CONTACT PERSON: Undersheriff Brian Waber
The Montcalm County Sheriff's Office responded to S. Johnson Rd. for a report of a 42 year old male who had become entangled in an auger attached to a farm tractor. Jacob Fruchey was attempting to auger holes into the frozen ground near a sheep barn to relieve flooding from the melting snow. It is believed Fruchey's thick clothing was caught by the auger when the incident occurred. He was found by his wife at approximately 7:02 p.m., who called 911. Montcalm Township Fire personnel and the Montcalm County Sheriff's Office arrived at approximately 7:15 p.m. and found the tractor and auger still running. Fruchey was pronounced dead at the scene. Alcohol or drugs are not believed to be contributing factors in the incident.
Personnel assisting at the scene included Montcalm Township Fire Department, Montcalm County EMS and Rescue, Montcalm County Central Dispatch and Montcalm County Medical Examiners.
