A western Iowa farmer was caught inside a grain bin for more than four hours before being rescued Thursday afternoon.

Harlan Fire Chief Roger Bissen said the man was about waste deep in the grain.

“He was conscious the whole time, talking to us,” Bissen said. “…He was actually helping move grain around him to just kind of keep his mind occupied.”

Fire fighters cut four holes into the bin before getting the victim out. The man was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries. An air ambulance along with the fire departments from Harlan and Westphalia arrived at grain bin in Shelby County at about 11:30 Thursday morning and the rescue was completed in the late afternoon.

(Reporting by Joel McCall, KNOD, Harlan)