WKBN's Patty Coller reported on a feed mill worker in Columbiana County, Ohio, who was successfully rescued Thursday after falling into a bulk feed hauler. Emergency crews were alerted about a man trapped inside a grain tanker. Homeworth Fire Chief Brian Baker reported that the worker fell off a step stool while working inside the empty hauler, sustaining injuries that prevented him from exiting independently. A specialized crew from Alliance, trained in confined space rescues, was called to assist. The rescue operation involved lowering a firefighter and a medic into the tanker to secure the worker with a harness before lifting him out. The entire rescue process took about an hour to complete.
Chief Baker confirmed that the rescued worker was alert and conscious throughout the operation and was subsequently transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation. While this particular type of rescue was a first for the Homeworth Fire Department, Chief Baker noted that similar situations involving confined spaces are not uncommon in the area.
This incident highlights the importance of safety protocols and specialized rescue training in industrial settings, particularly in the agricultural and feed processing sectors. It also underscores the critical role of inter-agency cooperation in emergency response situations.
