Morton Man Dies from Injuries in Fall Near Birch Cooley Township

On May 14^th, 2023, at approximately 5:23 PM, the Renville County Sheriff’s Office received a report a male who had sustained injuries from a fall from a horse near 675^th Avenue and 355^th Street. That location is approximately one mile northeast of Morton, MN in Birch Cooley Township.

Upon arrival at the scene, emergency responders discovered 64-year-old Timothy J. HENNEN of rural Morton, MN at the bottom of an embankment along the Birch Coulee Creek. Bystanders were providing lifesaving measures to HENNEN.  Despite resuscitation efforts by emergency crews, HENNEN was pronounced dead at the scene.

The preliminary investigation revealed that HENNEN was on horseback, riding along the top edge of Birch Coulee Creek. The horse lost footing on a slippery surface and fell, causing HENNEN to fall from the horse.

Assisting on scene were: Morton Medical Response Unit (MRU), Morton Fire Department, and CentraCare Ambulance.

The accident remains under investigation by the Renville County Sheriff’s Office and the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office.