TOP STORY OF THE DAY: Man rescued from grain bin Wednesday afternoon

A grain bin housing soybeans was the site of a near-fatal accident Wednesday five miles west of Clay City on County Road 600 South. Authorities and emergency teams were able to free the man, who was reportedly unharmed following the incident.

Nick Wilson Photo

CLAY CITY — According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, a local farmer was rescued Wednesday afternoon following an incident involving a grain bin.

Authorities were called to the scene at a farm near the intersection of county roads 600 South and 535 West shortly after 1 p.m. Wednesday, responding to reports that a man was trapped in soybeans.

Clay County Chief Deputy Eric Oberholtzer on scene said the man was trapped in grain up to his mid-section and was able to maintain a foothold until family, emergency crews and other area farmers were able to pull him out.

“Once we got down here we realized most of the grain bin was empty, and he was stuck but only up to the waist,” Oberholtzer said. “He was able to maintain his footing, but when it collapsed — it’s almost like concrete when it collapses like that. So he couldn’t get out.”

Clay City and Cory volunteer fire departments were some of the first emergency crews to reach the scene. They immediately began deploying grain-bin rescue systems — a necessity in any farming community, Oberholtzer said.

“They did utilize the grain bin-rescue equipment to remove grain from around him, once they got the pieces in,” he said. “He was able to get out after that.”

Grain bin fatalities can be sudden and can happen to even the most seasoned veteran of the farming industry. The equipment is always ready to go at a moment’s notice, as well as officers arriving on scene, who quickly responded to the scene regardless of the height of the grain.

“We’ve had some [fatalities] in the past, and that’s why, I know, those departments have them,” Oberholtzer said.

The man, said to be in his 40s, was unharmed and released from the scene without further medical treatment.

Responding agencies Wednesday included the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Clay City Police, Cory Volunteer Fire, Lewis Twp. Volunteer Fire, S.T.A.R. Ambulance and the Indiana State Police. Additionally, several farmers from the area came to offer their help and expertise.

“We had anybody and everybody show up, because when we get that call we don’t know what it is or how bad it is,” Oberholtzer said. “It’s the community coming together. We even had local farmers show up to see if they could lend a helping hand. Even the boom truck was from a guy down the road ... which did help out.

“It’s the community helping each other out. Bad circumstances, but good ending.”