Staff photo by Clay Schuldt First responders free Sean Olson, center, after he was trapped in a grain bin for three hours. Once freed from the grain, Olson exited the bin under his own power. He sustained no injuries.

SWAN LAKE — Emergency responders were able to free a 27-year-old man trapped in a grain bin Tuesday night.

While working on the family farm, Sean Olson got stuck in a grain bin after his legs sunk into the shifting grain. The pressure trapped his foot in place. At first it was limited to his legs, but eventually the grain made it up to his waist.

His initial calls for help failed because he could not get a phone signal while in the bin, but on the eighth attempt he was successful.

Olson said he was trapped in the bin for three hours before rescue workers could extract him.

Courtland Fire Department, Lafayette Ambulance and New Ulm Fire all responded to the call, which came in around 6 p.m. The first responders were able to get Olson out of the bid around 7:30 p.m. The Courtland Fire Department used rescue tubes, donated by United Farmer’s Co-op, to relieve the pressure and he was removed from the grain bin without injury. Olson was able to exit the bin of his own power.

Paramedics examined Olson for signs of compression, but he checked out fine and refused further medical treatment. Olson said his only issue was, after being stuck for hours, he developed a cramp in his leg.

The family and first responders were grateful for a happy resolution to the crisis.

After he was cleared by medical personnel, Olson embraced his grandfather, Archie Daleiden, in a hug. Daleiden rushed out to the farm the moment he heard about the accident.

Daleiden was overjoyed his grandson was unhurt and this was not a repeat of a tragic incident. He said Olson’s brother Chad died in a corn bin incident 17 years ago.

Mark Dick with Lafayette Ambulance said they don’t respond to grain bin accidents often, but such accidents do happen.