Authorities: Janesville Man, 19, Dies In Grain Bin Accident

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A 19-year-old man died Tuesday in Waseca County after being trapped in a grain bin, authorities said.

Crews from multiple agencies pulled Jared Weckwerth, of Janesville, from the bin shortly after 2:30 p.m., the Waseca County Sheriff's Office said. Weckwerth's death is being considered an accident.

Authorities first received word Weckwerth was trapped after his fellow workers noticed he was missing and called 911.

Weckwerth, a graduate of Janesville High School, was helping an area farmer when he went into the bin to help quicken the flow of grain, the sheriff's office said. When crews arrived on the scene, they tried to remove grain from the bin as quickly as possible by cutting the sides of the bin.

Crews from Janesville, Waseca and New Richland helped in the rescue effort.