PHOTOS: Fire crews rescue construction worker from Cargill silo

Firefighters rescued a construction worker who had back spasms while atop a 100-foot silo at a Cargill plant in Cedar Rapids this morning.

Crews responded to the plant, 1710 16th St. SE, just before 11 a.m. The 52-year-old male was brought down safely in about an hour and taken to Mercy Medical Center, officials said.

Fire Department spokesman Greg Buelow said the worker, who has not been identified, was doing iron work on scaffolding or a footing atop the coal silo. The spasms left him unable to move.

A Genie boom and ladder from a Fire Department ladder truck were erected. Buelow said the man was put on a back board and into a Stokes basket before the boom brought him down around noon.

Buelow said the man is a contractor and not a Cargill employee. His employer was not immediately known.

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