An elderly Osborne County farmer has died after being severely burned in a Thursday night fire involving around 300 hay bales.

According to Osborne County Sheriff Curtis Miner, Lowell Lund of rural Waldo died in Wichita after being burned at the scene of the fire. He was initially transported by private vehicle to Osborne County Memorial Hospital, but was later life-flighted to Wichita, where he died.

Natoma Fire Chief Keith Koelling said Paradise, Waldo and Natoma Firefighters responded to the blaze just after 6 PM Thursday and many of the bales were already fully engulfed. Luray Firefighters also responded as well as the Osborne County Rural Fire Department, the Alton Fire Department and Osborne County EMS from Natoma. The fire burned into the early morning hours.Bale Fire 2

According to Russell County Emergency Management Director Keith Haberer, the fire occurred in a pasture near the intersection of Osborne County Roads 404 and 657.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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Story Courtesy David Elliott / KRSL Radio Russell: http://krsl.com/local-news/2373-man-dies-after-being-burned-in-bale-fire