Phoenix fire officials: Veterinarian dead, 2 critical in underground plunge

A Phoenix-area veterinarian was dead and two other men were hospitalized in critical condition after passing out in an underground grain-storage facility near Carefree, according to a Phoenix fire official.

One of the men had been working to pump water from recent rains out of an underground grain-storage unit when he fell 20 feet down into the unit. The other two men had gone in after him, said Capt. Reda Bigler, a Phoenix fire spokeswoman.

None of the men reemerged on their own because of the lack of oxygen in the storage unit. Bigler said the water mixing with the grain created carbon dioxide, or CO2, which caused the men who went into the storage unit to pass out.

Firefighters rescued the men, and they were all transported to hospitals.

William Tryon, 61, the veterinarian, died of his injuries, according to Doug Matteson, Maricopa County Sheriff's Office spokesman. The other two, Juan Pablo Garcia and Christian Silaghi, 33, remained in critical condition, he said.

The accident occurred on Tryon's ranch near Third Avenue and Carefree Highway. The vet operated his practice out of his home, and someone inside the ranch house called 911 Monday, according to officials.

Friends and family gathered Tuesday morning at the property of the family-owned practice to pay their respects to Tryon, a veterinarian many said was important to the Arizona horse community.

"I think he treated me more than my horses," said Laura Weaver, 45, who keeps horses at a ranch in Cave Creek and said she's been seeing Tryon for about 20 years. "He was very grounded, and had a great way of explaining things. He was a big part of the community He will be missed."

Family members said they weren't ready to comment on Tryon's death.

The Arizona Equine Rescue Organization posted on its Facebook page Tuesday morning to offer condolences and to commend the work of Tryon, also known as "Doc."

"Our deepest condolences to Dr. Tryon's family as they mourn the loss of Dr. Tryon this morning," read the post. "'Doc' Tryon, as he was known, was a veterinarian to many horse owners in the area and very well liked. He helped AERO on several emergency calls throughout the years and was very dedicated to his clients.

"He passed away from an accident on his property and the sudden loss will be felt across the horse community. There were two others injured in the accident and our positive thoughts for recovery are with them as well."