Cass commissioner Foster hurt while unloading hay bales
CASS LAKE -- Fifth District Cass County Commissioner Virgil Foster, 75, suffered injuries Monday morning while working on his farm outside Cass Lake.
County Administrator Robert Yochum said Thursday morning Foster and one of his adult sons were unloading large round hay bales from a truck when a row of bales fell from the truck. One bale struck Foster, causing multiple fractures to his leg, hip, knee and ribs, Yochum said.
The accident occurred on the rural Cass Lake family farm where Foster has lived and worked since he was a young boy. A few years ago, he sold his dairy herd and currently raises beef cattle.
Foster was transported by ambulance to North Country Regional Hospital in Bemidji, then transferred to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis where he is expected to remain for three to four weeks, Yochum said. Yochum said family members told him that Foster currently is listed in stable condition.
While traveling to Camp Ripley from Walker with other county officials early in August, Foster discussed the safety risks every farmer faces. There had been a recent accident on a neighboring farm.
"I always turn off all power equipment before I work on it," Foster said, emphasizing his constant effort to avoid risks and potential accidents.
Yochum said he will provide updates on Foster's recovery as Foster family members inform him.