Pippen killed in Minnesota ethanol plant accident

Submitted photo James Pippen, 26, of Nevada, was killed Sunday in an accident at this ethanol plant under construction in Benson, Minn., on July 29.

A Nevada man was killed in a fall inside an ethanol tank under construction in Benson, Minn., on Sunday, July 29, at approximately 2:13 p.m. The Swift County Sheriff's Office was notified by CVEC (Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company) that a construction worker had fallen approximately 60 feet inside of a tank under construction, according to a report from the Swift County Sheriff's Office. The Benson Ambulance, Benson Police Department and the Swift County Sheriff's Department responded to the scene just west of Benson on County Road 20.

The victim was given emergency medical care and transported by the Benson Ambulance to the Swift County-Benson Hospital.  The victim suffered from numerous injuries and he died a short time later at the Swift County-Benson Hospital.

 The victim is identified as James Pippen, age 26, from Nevada, Mo., an employee of USA Tank Sales, Seneca, Mo.

 The accident is under investigation by the OSHA division of the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry, the Swift County Coroner and the Swift County Sheriff's Office.