Idaho Emergency Crews Use Vacuum to Save Man Stuck in Grain Bin

BONNERS FERRY, Idaho (AP) — A North Idaho man was rescued by quick-thinking emergency crews, neighbors and friends after he got trapped in a half-filled grain bin near Bonners Ferry. The Bonner County Daily Bee reports Jim Shelton went into the bin on Monday to unplug it after it became jammed while loading grain onto trucks.

Officials say he was trapped up to his armpits in grain and couldn't free himself. Ken Baker with Boundary County Volunteer Ambulance says those assistant Shelton placed a plastic barrel — with the ends removed — around him and vacuumed out the grain around him. Shelton was freed after several hours of work by volunteer firefighters and other volunteers.