Tuesday morning in Douglas County, Minnesota, a 64-year-old man found himself trapped inside a grain bin.
The victim, identified as Brent Ost of Parkers Prairie, was submerged in corn up to his chest, sparking a rapid response from local emergency services.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call from Bradley Swensen at or before 11:30 a.m. after he discovered Ost in a shed, trapped in the corn pile. Swenson immediately called emergency services, reporting the incident on County Road 6 NW.
Upon arrival, responders discovered Ost still able to breathe and talk. Leaf Valley Fire and Rescue, along with bystanders, went to work quickly utilizing grain bin rescue equipment to extract Ost from the corn pile.
“Deputies learned that Ost had been on top of the corn pile working with a grain vacuum hose when the caller, who was near a tractor beside the shed operating the grain bin vacuum, had noticed that the vacuum slowed down and appeared to be blocked,” wrote the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in a post on Facebook.
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Ost was transported to a hospital. Fortunately, his injuries reportedly do not appear to be life-threatening.
Grain bin safety
This rescue underscores the challenges faced by those working in agriculture and the importance of swift and coordinated responses to ensure the safety of individuals in potentially hazardous situations.
Grain bins create an environment where rapid entrapment can occur, particularly if the grain is being moved or leveled inside the bin. The force exerted by flowing grain can be deceptive, pulling individuals beneath the surface in seconds. Additionally, the risk of equipment entanglement and falls heightens the potential for severe accidents.
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