Mechanical Failure Suspected in Deadly Stearns County Farm Incident

May 1

A man was killed Tuesday in a farm equipment accident northeast of Brooten in Stearns County.

Dispatchers received a 911 call at 5:47 p.m. reporting that someone had become pinned under a large corn planter.

The caller stated they were at an address on County Road 201 in North Fork Township, about four miles from the city.

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Deputies responded and determined that two men had been working on a John Deere DB66 planter that was experiencing hydraulic problems. According to the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, 46-year-old Eric Scott Segaar, of Brooten, was underneath the equipment when the hydraulic system is believed to have failed, causing the heavy planter to abruptly lower and trap him beneath it.

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Segaar was extricated from the equipment and life-saving efforts were initiated by fire, ambulance and air medical personnel, but he was pronounced deceased at the scene. Responding agencies included the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, Brooten Fire Department, Brooten Ambulance, and Life Link III helicopter.

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