Man Falls 40 Feet From Abandoned Minneapolis Mill

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A man is recovering Friday morning after falling nearly 40 feet in an abandoned grain elevator in north Minneapolis.

According to the Minneapolis Fire Department, crews received a call around 12:15 a.m. that someone had fallen in the Freun Mill Complex near Thomas and Glenwood Avenues North.

Upon arrival, crews learned that a man and two friends had been urban exploring in the mill.

While in the mill, the man fell roughly 40 feet from one of the lower towers.

Assistant Chief of Operations, Charles Brynteson, said the man suffered serious face injuries and possibly a broken leg. His injuries are considered non-life threatening.

"It's an unfortunate incident. I'd like to remind the public to stay out of these buildings. They are trespassing, they're breaking the law and they're taking their lives into their own hands," Brynteson said. "Once people are in these positions it is sometimes very difficult for us, very challenging and, quite frankly, very risky for us to come in and remove them from these buildings that have been vacant for as long as these buildings have."

It took two hours to get the man out of the complex. He was then transported to Hennepin County Medical Center.

This incident comes just weeks after a woman died after falling in Bunge grain elevator.

Crews are currently trying to figure out how the people gained access to the mill.