Algona, IA (KICD)– A rural Algona man and his dog are safe after spending several hours trapped in the dangerous cold temperatures earlier this week.

Kossuth County Sheriff Roger Fisher says a call was received around 9:15 Tuesday morning for a person reportedly passed out and suffering from hypothermia is a vehicle about three miles northwest of Algona.

When emergency crews arrived, they found the road the victim was on had drifted shut because of strong winds which delayed access until a plow crew could get to the area.

An investigation found 43-year-old Michael Riggert has left his home with the family dog shortly after midnight and became stuck in a snow drift. While he was attempting to the vehicle out, Riggert was accidentally locked out when the dog accidentally bumped the door lock leaving him stranded outside until he was able to break a window to regain access.

Riggert was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for severe hypothermia and low blood glucose and was released later that same day.