Carbon monoxide at ADM plant in Illinois blamed for NE Iowan's death

By RON INGRAM

Courier Lee News Service

DECATUR, Ill. - Two veteran employees of Archer Daniels Midland died late Sunday of apparent carbon monoxide poisoning and 16 others got sick following a fire in an air handling unit at the company's corn processing plant.

The deceased were identified Monday as Charles Newgard, 55, a laboratory technician supervisor, and Jeffrey Miller, 46, laboratory technician, both of Decatur, Ill.

Newgard had been with ADM for 33 years. Miller had worked for ADM for 17 years.

According to Newgard's obituary, he was born in Parkersburg in 1952 and graduated from New Hartford High School and Wartburg College. He and his wife, Lola, have three children. He is also survived by his mother, Virginia Newgard, and sister Kathy Cessna, both of Cedar Falls.

Newgard joined ADM Cornsweetners in Cedar Rapids in 1974. He transferred to Decatur, the company's world headquarters, in 1979. Though not on call that evening, Newgard was called to help with a problem at the plant on the evening of his death, according to his family.

Macon County Coroner Michael Day said Miller died at 11:10 p.m. Sunday at Decatur Memorial Hospital. Newgard died at 11:43 p.m. at St. Mary's Hospital.

Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration personnel were at the plant Monday for an initial evaluation, ADM Vice President Randy Kampfe said.

Nick Walters, director of OSHA's office in Peoria, Ill., said the agency has six months to complete its investigation but likely could finish in less time.

Fifteen of the other 16 injured employees were treated and released Monday. The final person was released Tuesday. ADM did not identify the other workers.

"ADM representatives have reached out to all the families affected by the tragedy, offering help and support during this difficult time," Kampfe said.

He added plant operations are deemed safe and the plant remains open.

"We are conducting a thorough review of this incident to determine its cause," Kampfe said.

Decatur Fire Chief Matt Sekosky said his department responded at 10:04 p.m. Sunday, and firefighters treated the call as a hazardous materials incident.

"Our crews wore full protective gear. Eight firefighters were decontaminated on site as a precaution and all were taken to hospitals for checkups," Sekosky said.

Autopsies on the victims were performed Monday in Springfield, Ill., but the cause of death is classified as undetermined pending completion of toxicology tests.

Neither man suffered significant injury or trauma, Day said, but he noted "symptomatic indicators" suggested a "significant carbon monoxide inhalation."

Sekosky said Tuesday the fire department is certain carbon monoxide - an odorless, colorless gas - overwhelmed the employees.

Firefighters knew they were dealing with carbon monoxide because portable monitors indicated the gas was present, Sekosky said. Reports from local hospitals where the injured were taken indicated carbon monoxide was in the victims' blood, he said.

In a statement released Tuesday, ADM said the 16 employees who survived the incident are expected to make a full recovery.

Visitation for Newgard will be Friday and funeral services Saturday in Decatur. Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday in Greenwood Cemetery in Cedar Falls.

Contact Ron Ingram at ringram@herald-review.com.