INDEPENDENCE — Police say a farmer has died after getting caught in a combine while harvesting oats in western Hennepin County.

The West Hennepin Public Safety Department says 62-year-old Mark McCulley got stuck in the harvesting machine Tuesday. The Star Tribune (http://strib.mn/1TPlPxe ) reports he was dead when first responders arrived at the scene in Independence around 5:40 p.m.

West Hennepin Public Safety director Gary Kroells says McCulley is a well-known and respected farmer in the area. Kroells says McCulley’s death is a “cruel reminder” of the dangers of power equipment.

Police say foul play isn’t suspected, and the incident is under investigation.