Farmer dies after dynamite explodes

PROMONTORY, Box Elder County — A farmer died Friday after dynamite exploded on his property.

Box Elder County sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the farm near Promontory at about 11 a.m., after someone called 911 to report that a 59-year-old man had been injured.

Box Elder County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Kevin Potter said Friday that Brent Larsen had apparently taken the dynamite out of his shed to keep it away from his grandchildren. Initial responders said Larsen may have shot at the dynamite with a shotgun to destroy it, officials said.

Larsen was flown by medical helicopter to Ogden's McKay-Dee Hospital Center with serious head injuries, Potter said. A bomb squad moved in and combed the scene to remove any remaining dynamite; they found none.

Authorities said they did not believe the dynamite was being used for anything nefarious.

"I don't think there's anything suspicious," Potter said. "I think it's somehow an accidental thing."

— Ben Winslow