Body of worker killed in grain silo collapse recovered

ROY — Emergency crews have recovered the body of a feed mill worker who was buried Monday under tons of spilled corn at a collapsed grain silo, a fire chief said late Wednesday night.

The body of Steve Green, 44, was recovered about 10 p.m., South Pierce Fire & Rescue Chief Bob Vellias said.

Green’s wife, three daughters and son were present when his body was found, the chief said.

After the damaged area at the Wilcox Farms feed mill was stabilized Wednesday, two eight-person crews alternated shifts, working late into the night to vacuum up hundreds of tons of corn, Vellias said.

“Of the 500 tons, we figured we had taken over 400 tons out before we found him,” the chief said.

Fire officials previously estimated 50 tons of grain had spilled, but later found out it was much more than that.A giant metal mesh screen attached to an excavator was brought in earlier in the day to stabilize the area so crews could work safely.

Green was doing routine maintenance when the silo collapsed.

The grain silos mix chicken feed for the company that produces eggs sold throughout the Northwest.