A 41 year-old man was trapped under an over-turned tractor for nearly an hour, Saturday morning 13-June. Colleton County (SC) Fire-Rescue was notified of the incident at 08:26 on a path that ran through the woods off of the end of Gary Street east of Walterboro. The man had been operating a tractor with a bush hog when the unit fell into a ditch and flipped over. The driver was pinned under the tractor in about 6 inches of water. The front of the tractor miraculously landed on a culvert and by the grace of God did not crush the driver.
Barry W. McRoy photo
Barry W. McRoy photo
Barry W. McRoy photo
Heavy fire apparatus could not reach the scene so firefighter-paramedics walked about 2/10 of a mile down the path to reach the patient. Extrication equipment, including high pressure air bags and hydraulic tools were transferred to a fire department pickup truck and transported to the location. Crews stabilized the tractor with a winch and cribbing. Firefighters used hand tools to dig under the tractor in an attempt to free his legs. The steering wheel and pieces of the tractor were removed with Holmatro hydraulic cutters so the man could be slid out. The actual extrication took about 35 minutes. He was extricated with full spinal precautions, then placed in a stokes basket to be carried up the embankment. The man complained of pain to his legs and received a second degree burn from hot oil dripping on his legs. He was transported to Colleton Medical Center for further treatment. Units were on the scene for about 1-1/2 hours.
Engine 19, Medic 19, Rescue 1, Battalion 1 and Car 12 responded. Captain Chris Jones served as Incident Commander.
Barry W. McRoy, Fire Chief, Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Barry W. McRoy photo
Barry W. McRoy photo