A successful rescue of an employee of a grain elevator in Xenia who was trapped inside a grain bin and buried should-deep in grain. The trapped man was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Three Xenia firemen and a Clay County ESDA worker also went to the hospital for evaluation and treatment after experiencing a reaction to grain dust and heat related issues
Xenia Fire Chief Vince King says upon arrival at the grain bin in the 200 block of South Main Street, firefighters quickly entered the grain bin and, with assistance from local farm workers, deployed grain bin rescue tubes around the individual in an effort to stabilize and protect them from further entrapment.
Due to the complexity of the incident, additional resources were requested. Clay County/Flora Rescue and the Marion County Grain Bin Rescue Task Force that is made up of fire department members from throughout the county were called to the scene for mutual aid.
King says while awaiting the arrival of additional resources, Xenia firefighters and local farm workers continued working to stabilize the individual and the surrounding grain. Once additional rescue personnel arrived, firefighters, farm hands deployed more grain bin rescue panels and equipment, including augers, while additional personnel entered the grain bin to assist with the rescue operation.
Ground operations then began to remove grain from the bin. Multiple cuts were made into the grain bin, allowing grain to be removed by hand and through the use of machinery. After several cuts and the removal of many bushels of grain, enough material had been removed from around the individual to allow them to successfully self-extract from the grain bin.
The Xenia Fire Protection District was assisted on scene by Flora-Clay County ESDA, Clay County Ambulance, Salem Fire Protection District, Kell Fire Protection District, Iuka Fire Protection District, Centralia Fire Protection District, Patoka Fire District, Odin Fire, Orchardville Fire Protection District, Illinois State Police, Clay County Sheriff’s Department, United Medical Response, other Fire Departments that were placed on stand by, and numerous local farm workers and members of the public who provided invaluable assistance during the rescue.
King says the Xenia Fire Protection District would like to extend its sincere appreciation to every agency, emergency responder, farm worker, and member of the public who responded and assisted during this incident. Grain bin rescues are extremely dangerous and complex operations that require specialized equipment, training, personnel, and teamwork.
He says Thursday’s successful outcome was made possible by the tremendous cooperation and dedication of everyone involved. They are grateful to all who came together to help bring this individual home safely.
