By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews
MILFORD — The extrication of a man from an auger at Maple Leaf Farms Feed Mill required specifically trained firefighters in a delicate and intricate task Wednesday morning, May 8. The man, reported to be in his 20s, had his left leg caught in the auger up to the groin.
Tactical rescue equipment was needed to free the man’s foot and leg from a sweep auger at the bottom of an empty grain bin. Firefighters trained in tactical rescue from Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory, Elkhart, Goshen and Clay Township in Elkhart County responded. Milford Assistant Fire Chief Todd Haines stated firefighters from Milford and Turkey Creek Fire Territory do not have the training, nor the equipment for such a rescue.
Milford Fire Department received the call at approximately 8:41 a.m. of a man with a leg caught in an auger. Turkey Creek Fire Territory was called shortly after the initial call. WWFT was requested at 8:56 a.m.
According to Haines, the man, who had started work at the facility 8 days prior, appeared to have been using the sweep auger to clean the floor of the bin of debris. He then used a broom to continue sweeping when he accidentally stepped into the sweep auger. The sweep auger is connected to the main auger at the bottom of the bin. The man’s boot bound up the auger, shutting down the equipment. It is unknown how long he had been trapped before help was called.
Haines explained that the grain bins are set up with tunnels underneath. Rescue workers had to enter the tunnel to get to the bottom side of the auger to free the man’s foot and leg.
It took rescuers 1 hour 40 minutes for the extrication. He was then flown by Lutheran Air to an area hospital.
“They all worked fantastic together, it wouldn’t have gotten done the way that it did. It would have been a different story,” stated Haines. He noted a surgical trauma doctor was en route to the scene, but was not needed.
Haines stated the employee was the only person in the bin at the time of the accident and no guard was on the auger.
