INDIANAPOLIS — Crews from multiple departments spent nearly eight hours trying to rescue a man who was trapped inside a silo that was filled with gravel Tuesday.
The Indianapolis Fire Department responded shortly after midday Tuesday to reports of a possible trapped worker at Milestone Contractors.
PHOTOS | Man rescued from gravel-filled silo
The 34-year-old worker had been lowered into the silo to take measurements and unexpectedly sank into the gravel. Crews believe he may have stepped onto an air pocket and was sucked in.
Firefighters say the fine gravel works just like quick-sand under the right conditions.
The worker was attached to a cable but he couldn't be pulled out of gravel, according to the fire department. Crews had to use a vacuum to remove some of the gravel. He was eventually hoisted to safety just short of eight hours after the rescue began.
The man, who works for Riley Tool and Machine in Marion, was eventually pulled from the silo without serious injuries. He was taken to the hospital in stable condition.
