ABERDEEN, S.D. (Press Release) – Members of Agtegra’s Technical Rescue Team (TRT) from Highmore, S.D. were contacted Friday, March 6 just after 4 p.m. regarding a grain bin entrapment southwest of Harrold, S.D. Other members from the TRT were dispatched along with two rescue trailers – one from Huron and one from Highmore. Upon arrival, the Pierre and Harrold Fire Departments had deployed rescue tubes around the victim and were able to start relieving some of the pressure from his chest. Due to the location of the farmer and the way he was positioned, two additional tubes and rescue augers from both Agtegra TRT trailers were used. The Pierre Fire Department, Harrold Fire Department, and Agtegra TRT worked until approximately 8:30 p.m. when the farmer was successfully removed from the grain bin. While tired and weak, the victim was able to communicate with EMTs for the duration of the rescue. He was transported via ambulance to the hospital for further evaluation.

According to Beth Locken, Agtegra Director of Safety and Environmental, ”for the three entities never having worked together or even met, for that matter – the teamwork and communication was incredible. We are definitely proud of our responding TRT members for the amount of expertise they provided surrounding grain quality, angles of repose, grain rescue equipment, and bin cutting. Cutting bins is always a questionable move but our team was able to discuss all potential hazards with the FDs to help them fully understand issues that can arise from certain cuts.”