Little Falls Man Dies Clearing Roof Snow

An effort to clear snow from a roof has ended tragically in Little Falls. 

The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office says a man from rural Little Falls fell through the roof of his pole shed Monday shortly after 6:30 p.m.

When deputies arrived, they found that 46-year old Verd Anez had died from apparent injuries suffered in the fall. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner has not yet issued an official cause of death.

Sheriff Michel Wetzel says this year’s heavy snowfall has caused at least one barn roof to collapse, and prompted many people to climb onto roofs to remove snow. Barns and pole sheds often have one or more fiberglass roof panels, instead of solid steal panels, to permit light to shine through.

When the roof is covered with snow, a person can step onto one of the weaker panels without knowing it. Sheriff Wetzel urges people to exercise extreme caution when removing snow from a roof, especially if the roof has light permeable panels.