A man rescued from entrapment in a grain silo Thursday became stuck in shifting soybeans when he was helping a co-worker adjust malfunctioning equipment.

Pam Averitt, the wife of David Averitt, said both he and a Bulloch County volunteer firefighter, Darrell Colson, who was also trapped by the soybeans Thursday during rescue efforts, were preparing for release from the hospital Friday around noon.

"We're all here, getting ready to go home," she said as her husband consulted with doctors at Memorial University Medical Center on Friday.

She and Colson's wife, Donna, are cousins and both families were together Friday as the men prepared for release.

Both Averitt and Colson were in good condition, Bulloch County Public Safety Director Ted Wynn said Friday.
Averitt, a former Georgia State Patrol trooper with Post 45 in Statesboro, is also the son of former Statesboro Mayor David "Hal" Averitt, for whom the Averitt Center for the Arts is named.

Colson, a longtime employee of Hagan and Oliver, has served for years as an emergency responder and volunteer firefighter with Bulloch County. He is also an active Statesboro Kiwanis Club member who has served as fair chairman for several years.

Pam Averitt said her husband was helping a younger co-worker with something inside the grain bin that was "stopped up" Thursday when somehow he became immersed in the tons of soybeans inside the bin.

Rescue workers responded to the call for help around 12:15 p.m., gathering at Greg Sikes' farm off Georgia Highway 46 near Red Hill Church and Jadith Deloach roads.
Auguring the soybeans from the bin didn't work because vibrations caused the uneven pile of beans to shift and further cover Averitt, who was mired up to his armpits in the soybeans.

The pressure of the tons of beans prevented rescuers from lifting Averitt out of the bin via ropes and pulleys. Firefighters and others constructed a wall around Averitt using backboards from ambulances as well as pieces of tin to prevent further shifting of the beans. During rescue efforts, Colson also became entrapped in the beans, sinking up to his chest, reports stated.

Rescue workers cut several holes in the sides of the 40-foot-tall steel bin, releasing the load of beans and eventually extricating both men. They were airlifted to the Savannah hospital for treatment and observation, Wynn said.

Neither Averitt nor Colson was immediately available for comment Friday.

Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at (912) 489-9414.