Mumma had entered the silo while the main auger was operating to insert a secondary auger to assist with the displacement of the corn, the sheriff’s office said.
The sheriff’s office communication center received a 911 call at about 4:08 p.m. reporting that a 68-year-old male was trapped in a grain silo at 6124 Lower Valley Pike.
Bethel Twp. Fire and EMS Chief Jacob King announced the recovery of the body just before 10 p.m.
Earlier, New Carlisle Fire Chief Tracy Young said firefighters had to take into consideration the length of time the man had been trapped and the potential of suffocation in the grain bin.
Firefighters worked to empty out the silo Tuesday night. Young, who was assisting on scene, said crews tried for two hours to rescue the man.
Rescuers’ entry to the bin was delayed because they first had to sufficiently ventilate the structure, King said.
Grain bins are known to explode if grain dust is ignited by sparks or lightning. Sparks created by crews cutting their way into the structure and causing an explosion was just one hazard they faced, King said.
Other dangers included falls into the grain and being engulfed, and resulting suffocation. Crews had hung above the bin via harnesses attached to a ladder truck about 60 feet in the air, he said.
It was the first time since King joined the Bethel Twp. department that its conducted a grain bin rescue, but his department has trained for it.
“A few years ago we took extensive training in grain bin rescue because there are so many in the township,” he said.
Crews from Mad River Twp., Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the city of Springfield provided mutual aid.
The incident remains under investigation by the sheriff’s office and the Clark County Coroner’s Office.
About the Author