A “deadly dome of air” erupted in the manure holding tank of a Wisconsin farm, resulting in the freak accident deaths of the farmer and sixteen of his cattle.

Michael Biadasz, a 29-year-old farmer from Amherst, Wisconsin, perished from gas poisoning on his family’s farm after being overpowered by vapors of sulfur oxide or methane, according to WAOW. Thirteen of the farm’s animals also perished at first, and three more died subsequently, for a total of sixteen cattle deaths.

The catastrophe, according to the 29-year-old’s father Bob Biadasz, co-owner of Biadasz Farms, was caused by a “perfect storm” of peculiar and unforeseen weather circumstances. As the tank was ready for pumping, Michael and the cattle were poisoned by the gasses that were trapped in a dome of heated upper air temperatures.

It was alleged that when other laborers showed up to start removing manure from the tank, Biadasz was already dead.

Portage County Coroner Scott Rifleman told WAOW, “The family is devastated, absolutely devastated.”

Rifleman told WSAW that the incidence is even more unexpected because gas poisoning deaths usually happen in closed spaces. The coroner stated that the gasses could not escape due to air pressure.

The coroner went on to say that an investigation is underway to determine exactly what caused Biadasz’s death. According to Rifleman, Biadasz had safely emptied the same tank hundreds of times prior to the fatal incident.

The coroner went on to say that an investigation is underway to determine exactly what caused Biadasz’s death. According to Rifleman, Biadasz had safely emptied the same tank hundreds of times prior to the fatal incident.

The Biadasz family honored Michael by parking a line of tractors and machinery along the road that passes the farm. Among the vehicles parked are a blue tractor, several red trucks, and Michael’s black pickup truck.

“As if there isn’t already enough danger in the lives of farmers, this family had to suffer this freak accident,” one Facebook user commented on the story.’So sad’

Following the tragic accident, many are calling for tougher regulations to be placed on manure holding tanks to prevent a similar incident in the future. The National Agriculture Safety Database, according to All That’s News, states that areas used for livestock storage ought to have adequate ventilation and that adjacent warning signs need to be erected.

“In addition to adhering to proper construction and maintenance procedures for liquid manure storage facilities, owners should be encouraged to follow a few precautionary measures to protect both workers and livestock from harmful manure gases,” according to the NASD.

According to WASW, a Virginia family met a similar tragic end in 2007 when a pipe obstruction resulted in a deadly methane gas buildup, killing five of the family members.