Teens remain in critical condition after Kremlin grain elevator accident Thursday

Tyler Zander and Bryce Gannon, both 17, were flown to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City after Thursday's accident at the Zaloudek Grain Co. in Kremlin.

Their families are not making any public statements at this time, said Scott Coppenbarger, OU Medical Center spokesman.

Friends said the two were working at the elevator when Gannon got his leg caught in the auger and Zander tried to help him, but slipped.

Kremlin Fire Chief Derrick Harris told the Enid News & Eagle the teens were trapped in the 10- to 12-inch auger.

“It was their legs that caught in the auger,” he said. “They were in there working and got caught.”

Rescue workers had to cut the auger before Gannon and Zander could be freed.

A grain auger is a screw conveyor system used to transport grain from the ground to the top of grain bins or to load trucks with grain from bins.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the accident and said the Garfield County company has no prior violations.

Zaloudek officials did not return telephone calls.

Kremlin, which has a population of 240, is 13 miles north of Enid.