SILVER LAKE - A man who fell into a grain bin at the Silver Lake Agri-Center is in fair condition at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne, this morning.
Carlos Torres, an employee of the Agri-Center, was apparently trying to unplug an auger with a grain vacuum inside the bin when he became stuck in the grain.
Several of Torres' co-workers struggled to keep Torres from being completely submerged.
Silver Lake Fire Department was first on the scene with all fire departments from the area assisting.
Warsaw Fire Department Lt. Aaron Bolinger, who assisted inside the grain bin, said several people were trying to keep the grain away from Torres' face. Torres also was given oxygen as crews worked to get him out.
Firemen began sawing holes in the east and west ends of the bin to let the grain out. An excavator was used to clear out the grain from the east side of the bin.
The original call to dispatch came around 4:30 p.m., and Torres and the rescuers didn't emerge from the bin until around 7 p.m.
Samaritan Helicopter was called and landed at the Little League fields in Silver Lake. Torres was responsive and moving as he was taken out of the bin in a stretcher.
As of this morning, Torres was listed in fair condition at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne.
