ROY, Wash. — One person is missing after a grain silo collapsed in Roy Monday afternoon.
A special operations response team responded at Wilcox Farms at 405 McNaught Road South at 4 p.m.
[ See photos from the collaspe here. ]
Multiple fire crews responded, including East Pierce Rescue 13 from Sumner, which has specialized training and equipment. Other specialized units from Pierce County responded as well.
Video from Chopper 7 showed the silo folded in on itself and grain spilled onto the ground.
South Pierce Fire Chief Bob Vellias said the collapsed silo held as much as 50 tons of corn. When it collapsed the corn filled the building next to it. Four men were working in that building-three got out; one is still missing, according to Vellias.
“It’s very unstable. We’ve been unable to make any kind of recovery operations with this. We’re going to bring in a structural engineer to take a look at a scene to make sure it’s safe and stabilized before we are able to let our team in there to look for the person that’s still missing,” said Chief Vellias.
A structural engineer from FEMA was at the silo Monday night. The also brought in two search dogs to see if there was a way to pinpoint where the man is trapped.
Investigators felt it was too risky try to get to the man who they fear is already dead. They will start searching in the morning, once structural engineers have a plan.
The victim’s relatives stood and watched and hoped Monday night.
The collapse had Roy residents worried. “It’s just terrible and it’s probably somebody local too,” said David Dayton.
Resident Cal Osborn added, “It’s horrible. It’s been here for years. I’m hoping it’s not a safety glitch. I feel bad. Most of the people who work in there are local people.”
We contacted Labor and Industries to check the safety record of the Wilcox Farms. We expect to hear back on Tuesday.
Wilcox Farms planned to release a statement Tuesday morning.
Searchers will work with engineers to find the best way to recover the victim. That effort will start up again early Tuesday morning.