When rescue arrived on scene it was reported there was one person trapped about mid torso high in a large 20,000 bushel corn bin. The bin was about three-quarters full. Rescuers made entry into the bin to free the individual.
“Local residents had secured the individual with a rope so he wouldn’t sink any further into the grain,” said Pierre Fire Chief Ian Paul. After working tirelessly with the grain bin extrication tubing inside the bin and making numerous attempts to dig him out, we moved to the next phase and made cuts on the outside of the bin to start a controlled release of the material inside.”
Rescuers were also working with the Agtegra’s Safety and Technical Rescue Association (SATRA). The SATRA has responders from around the state who are also trained in technical rescues.
“Their expertise and assistance on site was extremely valuable in the rescue efforts," said Chief Paul.
The male occupant was freed from the grain once a large portion of the grain was removed. Rescuers cut a hole in the side of the bin near the bottom to remove the victim. He was transported by ambulance to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Also assisting with rescue efforts were Hughes County Sheriff Office, the South Dakota Highway Patrol, AMR, and local residents.