FLOWERKEST, Minn. (WCCO) – Leaders in a small western Minnesota town say a volunteer firefighter killed in last night’s storm helped make their town what it was.
Ryan Erickson, 63, was killed when a grain container on his family’s farm collapsed on his car. The state considers the loss a death.
On Thursday evening, Ben Vlaminck, the assistant fire chief of the city of Blomkest, said they received a call for a search just a few kilometers from the center of the city. Along the way, he says that when it started for him and his team they would start looking for one of them.
They responded to the Erickson family farm, home of Ryan Erickson, who had worked with the department for decades.
Erickson, who was 63, was crushed under a grain bin and later died.
Community members say he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend who was quick to lend a hand in any way he could.
READ MORE: Firefighter killed in Blomkest during second night of dangerous storms
The fire brigade in Blomkest says to them that the reality of the situation is still emerging.
“Chaotic. In terms of bringing in all of our resources that we brought in within the province, it was amazing to see how everyone worked as a team, even though they knew the circumstances of what was going on,” said Vlaminck.
Erickson leaves behind his wife, two daughters and several grandchildren.
“He was my contact if I needed anything,” said Mayor Doug Hopp of the city of Blomkest. “If I needed help or something. He was my regular point of contact.”
“I’m thinking about the impact this will have on our lives because it was so important to our day-to-day activities and the things we did,” said Blomkest Clerk Barb Gilberts. “It’s going to be a long adjustment.”