A tiny town in Kansas is mourning the loss of a cherished community member due to a bizarre accident involving farm equipment.

Cole Matson, 21, died on Tuesday, July 8, at his family farm after a spraying apparatus malfunctioned and imprisoned him inside, according to Now 10-11 and his online obituary.

Cole, the youngest son of the Centralia Fire Department chief, was renowned for routinely volunteering at the station and always lending a helping hand to people in need, according to the source.

Nate Engelken, the department’s assistant fire chief, told the outlet that Matson became stuck between the machine’s axle and mainframe, and it took almost 30 minutes to free him.

The rescue was challenging because first responders lacked access to hydraulic rescue gear known as the Jaws of Life. The tool is frequently required in events involving large machinery.

“That, to me, is the worst aspect of this. Engelken said, “We felt powerless and knew what to do, but we didn’t have the resources,” adding that even with the equipment, they might not have saved Matson.

“If somebody needed help, Cole was available; Cole was ready to help,” Engelken continued, adding, “[His death] affected many people. He was widely recognized and popular. He didn’t know a stranger,” he continued.

Matson’s relatives said in his obituary that he will be remembered for “his kind heart, big smile, and the unwavering love he had for those close to him.”

They also stated that one of his biggest joys in life was spending time with his infant nephew, Braxton, and that he “found a loyal companion in his pup, Tator, a scrappy mix of bloodlines who became his faithful sidekick on every road, at every pasture, and in the moments in-between.”

Matson was also “a dedicated member and volunteer of 4-H,” dedicating “countless hours to support the next generation of 4-H youth,” according to his obituary.

“Cole’s life, though much too brief, was filled with purpose, tenacity, and love. He leaves not just memories, but also a legacy of hard labor, a love of agriculture, a strong attachment to family, and a willingness to serve his community in quiet, powerful ways.”

Matson is survived by his fiancée, Joee Bussmann; his parents, Dan and Jennifer Matson; his brother, Alex (Shelby) Matson; his grandparents; and “countless” extended family and friends who will remember him for “his generosity, humor, and the warmth he brought to every room—and every pasture,” according to his obituary.

The Centralia Fire Department is running a fundraiser to enhance its emergency extrication equipment and maybe prevent unnecessary tragedies.