Falling hay bales kill Prineville man, 77

A 77-year-old Prineville man was killed Monday when three bales of hay fell from the truck he was loading, Crook County sheriff’s deputies said.

Sheriff’s officers and Crook County Fire and Rescue medics responded around 2 p.m. to the area of North McKay Road near NW Peppermint Lane on the reported farming accident, said Deputy Dan Smith. They were told bales of hay had fallen on a man and he was unconscious.

Deputies arrived around the same time as medics, who were unable to revive the victim, identified as Gordon Evan Stroebel. Smith said they determined Stroebel was loading hay onto his truck when the load shifted and three bales fell from the truck.

A medical helicopter was dispatched to the scene, but Stroebel died at the scene before it could arrive, the deputy said.

Prineville police also assisted at the scene.