Grain & Feed Manager - Managers Forum

[Chris Clukey]

From the Southeast Missourian:

Buried alive by soybeans in a grain bin, surviving long enough to be rescued came down to one thing: staying calm.

Bruce Robinson of New Madrid, Mo., is completing his recovery today at Cape Girardeau hospital after being rescued from a grain bin entrapment Monday in New Madrid.

"I'm doing a lot better," Robinson said. "I'm a little sore."

Robinson celebrated his 52nd birthday Tuesday with his family.

Robinson said he and his co-workers were working on breaking loose some soybeans in the bin Monday so the grain could be removed with an auger.

Communication was then lost with those outside the bin, Robinson said, and the trouble began.

"A big pile busted loose and it was too late then," he said.

Robinson sunk until he was completely submerged in the soybeans.

The trapped man kept conversing, first with his co-workers and then, after 911 was called shortly after 10 a.m., with arriving rescue team members, so they could locate him under the beans. The conversations continued as they worked on getting him out without bringing more of the grain down on top of him.

Having served in the U.S. Marine Corps when he was younger, Robinson said his military training paid off.

Rescue workers finally got Robinson out of the bin at about 2:30 p.m.

"I had no idea how long I was down there," he said. "I had no idea until the next day exactly how long it was. I was just glad I was able to stay calm."

Robinson said he hopes to be released from the hospital today.

http://www.semissourian.com/story/1313150.html