Rural Xenia Man Fatally Injured in Fall from Grain Elevator

A rural Xenia man was fatally injured by a fall from the top of a 35-foot grain elevator on his farm during the noon hour on Friday.

Marion County Coroner Troy Cannon identified the victim as 61-year-old Greg Smith, whose farm is along Beard Road on the Clay-Marion county line.

Kinmundy-Alma Fire Chief Kevin Day says Smith had done everything correctly when going to the top of the bin, including the use of a safety belt and a tether. However, they were connected to a spout that Day says appears to have come loose from the rest of the elevator and resulted in Smith spiraling to the ground.

No one saw the incident occur. Smith was later found by a family member on the ground with critical injuries.

Kinmundy-Alma firefighters provided CPR upon their arrival and an Air Evac helicopter was deployed to the scene. The aircraft, though, was later diverted to Salem Township Hospital as CPR efforts continued on the ground. Smith was later transferred by ambulance to the hospital where he was pronounced dead in the emergency room.