(Charter Oak, IA) – The Crawford County Emergency Management Agency, today (Thursday) said a man who was entrapped in a grain bin and was recovered, died from at the scene. According to a news release from EMA Coordinator Zach Rasmussen, the victim was identified as 83-year-old Robert Kroll, of Charter Oak.

Rasmussen said that at around 9:50-a.m. (Thursday), the Crawford County Communications Center was notified of an individual who had possibly become trapped in a grain bin near Charter Oak. Due to the complexity and urgency of the incident, a countywide all-call was performed to ensure that appropriate equipment, personnel and resources were responding to the scene, including the Dow City Fire Department with a grain vacuum. Additional resources and personnel from Harrison County were also requested.

First arriving personnel confirmed with bystanders that the victim was still trapped in the grain bin and no contact had been made with the victim. First arriving personnel began cutting access holes into the side of the grain bin to facilitate grain removal.

An air medical helicopter was requested to the scene while the man was being extricated from the grain bin. Rescue operations continued utilizing all available resources until the victim was successfully extricated from the grain bin.

Following extrication, medical personnel immediately initiated life saving measures on scene. Despite these efforts, Kroll was declared deceased at the scene by medical personnel.

Responding agencies include:

Crawford County Memorial Hospital Ambulance

Crawford County Sheriff’s Office

Crawford County Emergency Management

Charter Oak Fire Department

Denison Fire Department

Deloit Fire Department

Dow City Fire Department

Manilla Fire Department

Ricketts Fire Department

Schleswig Fire Department

Vail Fire Department

Dunlap Fire Department

Dunlap Ambulance

Woodbine Fire Department

LifeFlight 3 – Audubon

Anderson’s Ethanol – Additional Grain Vacuum

All responding agencies extend their deepest condolences to Mr. Kroll’s family and friends.