4 injured while detasseling corn in rural Illinois

TAMPICO — Several farm workers removing tassels from corn were hurt by an electrical shock in an accident near the northwestern Illinois village of Tampico.

The Whiteside County Sheriff's office released a statement saying four workers were injured severely Monday morning. The release says the accident "involved an electrocution."

It does not say what caused the electrical shock.

Injured workers were taken to an area hospital for treatment. The sheriff's office didn't release names because of the ages of the workers.

About 72 people were detasseling corn in a field when the accident occurred. Those who didn't go to the hospital immediately were taken to the Rock Falls Fire Department for evaluation.

A counseling center has been set up at the Rock Falls Community Building.