Brent Larsen was hit in the head with some shrapnel from the blast around 10:45 a.m., said a police dispatcher.

The dispatcher also said Larsen had shot a box of dynamite with a gun, but that remains unsubstantiated.

The explosion occurred near 5800 N. East Promontory Road, south of Promontory near the north shore of Great Salt Lake.

A LifeFlight helicopter transported Larsen in critical condition with head injuries to McKay-Dee Hospital Center in Ogden.

He died as a result of his injuries later in the afternoon, said Box Elder County Sheriff's Sgt. Jim Summerill.

"We don't know what happened yet," said Box Elder County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Kevin Potter.

He said family members were in the vicinity when the explosion happened and called 911.

"They were obviously very distraught when we arrived," he said. "It hasn't been investigated very thoroughly."

Potter said sheriff's deputies were waiting for the bomb squad to clear the scene before investigating.

"We are an hour away in Brigham City," Potter said. "We usually send a medical helicopter when something happens out there. They usually beat the ambulance."

It was believed that all the dynamite had exploded, but authorities were still taking precautions Friday afternoon.

Potter said the bomb squad was called and that it had just begun the preliminary investigation.

He said Utah Highway Patrol troopers and deputies in the area responded to the scene and a ground ambulance was called. No other injuries were reported.

"The case is still under investigation, but it appears to be accidental," Summerill said.

He declined to discuss the origins of the dynamite, the quantity or the circumstances of how it was set off. He said more information would be released today.

"It appears to be some old dynamite," Summerill said.

Those who knew Larsen describe him as congenial.

"That man is just as nice as pie," said Wendy McCleery, of Sandy, before it was known that Larsen had died.

McCleery planned to participate in an event on the property today and Sunday hosted by the Great Salt Lake Dog Training Club where she is president.

She said dog owners are still planning to hold their event -- which will be to train dogs for human rescues -- on the ranch today, as it is not going to be held near where the accident occurred.

Larsen had offered the group use of his more than 5,000-acre ranch each year for the last five years.

Bob Elder, of Logan, who has worked with Larsen for 20 years at ATK Thiokol, described his friend as a nice and decent person.

"I'm sad this has happened to him," he said. "You hate to see a friend get hurt."

Larsen served as a leader in his LDS Church congregation and was well-known and liked by his neighbors.

Larsen's death is the second the family has been forced to deal with in two weeks. Larsen buried his own father last week. Merlin Larsen died last week at age 93.

Winnie Richman, a Promontory neighbor, said Larsen will be missed by his family and the community.

"He was a good man," Richman said.

She said Larsen was a very talented musician who played the oboe, clarinet and was actively involved in the church choir.

Standard-Examiner reporter Trent Toone contributed to this article. ___________________________________________________________________

PROMONTORY -- A Box Elder County farmer was injured this morning when he exploded dynamite with a shotgun.

Police said the unidentified farmer found a box of dynamite in a shed on a private ranch south of the ATK Thiokol plant on Promontory. Concerned for the safety of children on the ranch, the man put the box in a field and blew it up with a shotgun blast from about 40 yards away.

He was hit in the head with shrapnel from the blast and suffered head injuries, but an emergency dispatcher said she did not know how extensive the injuries are. The man was taken to an Ogden hospital by a LifeFlight helicopter.

More information on the incident will be posted on standard.net as it becomes available.

Submitted on 05/09/2009

Submitted by: Aaron Poole
Reference: http://www.standard.net/live/news/172416/ May 9 2009

Copyright © 2009 DarwinAwards.com

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: For Darwin's Eyes
We've already received at least one submission of this story but I think this provides a bit more detail since it says he may have also shot at a full box of dynamite. What was this idiot thinking? Thanks, Aaron.

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
What Bruce said. This is more detailed.