Silo Rescue

January 7, 2012 - The Fort Wayne Fire Department Special Operations Rescue Team was dispatched to assist the Jefferson Township Fire Department, Whitley County, on the rescue of a victim trapped in a grain silo at AG Plus in the 5400 block of Raber Road.  The first FWFD units arrived at 6:30 p.m. and were advised an adult male was trapped up to his waist in grain at the bottom of a +80'grain tower.  Victim contact was quickly established and steps were taken to ensure more grain did not spill in around him.  Over the next few hours, farming operations from around the area assisted by supplying grain vacuuming equipment to lower the level of soy beans in the silo until rescuers could free the victim's legs.  The patient was freed and was extricated from the silo tower at 12:13 a.m.  He was then transported to Parkview Hospital by Samaritan in stable condition.