Man hurt in Advance grain elevator accident

Update

Stoddard County authorities say the man injured was 29-year-old Josh Blankenship. Doctors at Saint Francis Medical Center held a news conference about the steps taken to remove Blankenship from the auger. Look for an updated story soon. Earlier reports listed his age as 25.

Original story

ADVANCE, Mo. -- A man whose identity authorities aren't releasing was hurt in an Advance grain elevator accident Thursday morning.

First responders from Dexter, Mo., were called to the scene at about 10:30 a.m. to handle the extrication from the auger. The removal was not complete until shortly after 1 p.m.

Dexter fire chief Don Seymore said late Thursday afternoon the incident occurred when the man somehow "became entangled" in the auger while working inside a grain bin.

Workers managed to disassemble the auger and the victim was flown to Saint Francis Medical Center to be treated for undisclosed injuries.

He reportedly remained conscious throughout the process.

Two helicopters were called to the scene. A surgeon was flown to the scene to help assess the situation and as a precautionary measure.

Seymore said the process, while time consuming, went as they had hoped.

No information was available about the victim's condition.

Officials at MFA, where the man was employed, declined to comment, saying an investigation would have to be conducted and that any statement would then come from the company's home office.

Pertinent address:

Advance, Mo.