THOMASVILLE — A longtime employee at a Thomas County farm near Ochlocknee died in a Monday morning accident at the farm.

A Thomas County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded about 10:15 a.m. Monday to a farm on Maddox Road near Ochlocknee.

“It was reported that a worker had been killed,” said Capt. Tim Watkins, sheriff’s office chief investigator.

The victim, Sherman Sanders, 41, Mt. Nebo Lane, Cairo, was cleaning a tank being pulled by a tractor, Watkins said. A side gear powered the pump on the sprayer being used, he added.

The side gear was engaged to wash out the tank, Watkins said.

“He was pulled into the equipment and died from injuries sustained,” the investigator said. “He was wearing thermal overalls and was pulled into the equipment.”

Watkins said, according to the owner, Sanders had been working on the farm since he was in high school. 

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820