Two Texas lawn care workers die

LUCAS, Texas – Two employees of a lawn service company died and five emergency personnel were hospitalized in North Texas after they were exposed to carbon monoxide inside a company cargo van.

Ross Powell, 49, died after his lawn care van was overcome with carbon monoxide fumes, the Cedar Springs Post newspaper reported. His father, Lyle Powell, was also found dead in the van.

Authorities say the two employees were inside the van Oct. 25 when they apparently succumbed to toxic fumes, AP News reported. Collin County sheriff's deputies and firefighters were called to the scene in Lucas, northeast of Dallas, and were overcome by fumes when they opened the door to a van.

In addition to running a lawn care business, Ross was a former MLB player, Cedar Springs Post newspaper reported. He pitched for three seasons at the University of Michigan and later was a third-round draft pick for the Cincinnati Reds in 1989. He made his major league debut in 1993 and in April 1994 he was traded to the Houston Astros. In 1995, his contract was sold to the Pittsburgh Pirates, which marked his last year in major league baseball. 

Read the full report from AP News here.