Farmer in Christian County rescued from grain bin with help from Springfield firefighters
A farmer who had fallen in a grain bin in rural Mt. Auburn Monday morning was rescued after several hours.
Springfield Fire Department crews were called in to assist with the rescue, Chief Brandon Blough said.
Christian County Sheriff Bruce Kettelkamp said the rescue happened at a grain bin at 1240 East Road.
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The farmer was conscious and talking to sheriff's deputies after the rescue, Kettelkamp said. The farmer was being transported to HSHS St. John's Hospital by helicopter.
The initial 911 came in at 9:15, Kettelkamp said.
Taylorville Fire Department personnel were also on the scene, along with fire departments from Mt. Auburn, Stonington and Decatur.
The farmer was placed in a "rescue sleeve," which is wrapped around like a coat and helps with compression issues, Blough said late Monday morning.
The farmer, who had been submerged up to his chest in soybeans at one point, had been harnessed in so he couldn't sink further, Blough said.
Blough did not identify the farmer and didn't know the extent of his injuries.
This story will be updated.
Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Christian County IL farmer rescued after falling into grain bin
