Cedar Rapids Fire Department rescued a man after he became trapped in a corn silo in Iowa, in the US.
The rescue operation took place on a farm on Thrarp Rd SW last Thursday afternoon (January 27th, 2022).
The Cedar Rapis Fire Department provides fire, EMS and rescue response to the City of Cedar Rapids.
Corn silo
According to a spokesperson for the fire department, “the victim was trapped in corn up to his chest after a cavity below gave way and sucked the victim down into the grain”.
Firefighters from Cedar Rapids and Jefferson-Monroe (Swisher) successfully employed specialised isolation panels to isolate the victim and remove the grain trapping him.
Once freed from the entrapment, they removed him from the silo through a hole cut in the side.
He was also transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Continuing, the spokesperson said: “Making this rescue even more treacherous was the way the corn caved-in on the victim.”
“One side stayed higher than the other and threatened to engulf the victim.”
“Firefighters had to employ these specialised tools and an exceptional level of finesse in performing the rescue.”
The spokesperson described the operation as a “unique effort” involving Cedar Rapids Firefighters, Jefferson-Monroe Firefighters and crews from Cedar Rapids Public Works.
They sent large vacuum trucks to help move the large load of loose corn and facilitate the rescue.
Woman (60s) dies on Laois farm
Meanwhile, in Ireland, a woman (60s) has died following an accident on a farm in Co Laois.
The fatal workplace accident took place in the Portlaoise area of the county on Monday, January 31st, 2022.
In a statement to That’s Farming on Tuesday, February 1st, 2022, a spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said:
“Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of a fatal workplace accident that occurred at a farm in the Portlaoise area of County Laois on the evening of Monday, January 31st, 2022.”
“A woman in her 60s was fatally injured during this incident and pronounced dead at the scene. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) have been notified,” the spokesperson added.
