Missouri Farmer Freed from Grain Bin

Nov. 8, 2013
He was cleaning the bin when dust caked to the inside walls fell on him.

Nov. 08--ST. CLAIR COUNTY --A worker was in good condition Friday after becoming trapped in a grain bin for about 50 minutes, authorities say.

The man in his late 20s or early 30s became trapped beneath dust inside a grain bin about 11:15 a.m. Friday on a farm in the 3800 block of Klein School Road between Smithton and New Athens, said Randy Lay, director of emergency management services for St. Clair County.

The worker was apparently cleaning the grain bin when dust caked to the inside walls fell on top of him, Lay said. Fellow workers at the farm were able to clear an airway for the man until rescuers arrived and dug him out.

The man was talking and able to move after being pulled out of the bin, but he was taken to a hospital to get checked out, Lay said.

Firefighters from Freeburg, Smithton, St. Clair County and St. Louis city responded to the farm to help.

Grain bin accidents and deaths aren't uncommon. Purdue University issued a report earlier this year that said eight people died from becoming trapped in grain last year, a decline from 2010 when 31 people were killed. The study documented more than 230 cases of entrapments nationwide between 2006-12.

Copyright 2013 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Voice Your Opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Firehouse, create an account today!