LANKIN, N.D. — A man who was submerged in a grain bin filled with corn on Sunday, Dec. 8, is alive after fire departments from Fordville, Lankin and Park River rescued him.
Gerhard LaGrange, of South Africa, became entrapped in the bin after the crust of wet corn on which he was standing gave way. The first responders from Lankin, Fordville and Park River arrived at 12:16 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at Mark Novak's farm, just east of Lankin to rescue LaGrange, said Ron Jurgens, Walsh County Sheriff.
The bin contained 15,000 to 20,000 bushels of corn, Jurgens estimated.
“They made several holes in the grain bin and began to shovel the grain out of the bin by hand,” said Jurgens, adding that about 25 people helped with the rescue.
The man was rescued at 1:58 p.m. Sunday. He was able to walk and talk and was transported to First Care Health Center in Park River for evaluation. His condition on Monday is unknown, Jurgens said.
