Sources say that a Pennsylvania tree trimmer survived an accident in which his chainsaw reared back and got lodged in his neck. The incident occurred on March 31 in Ross Township. At the time the workplace injury occurred, the 21-year-old was in a harness working on a tree near Perry Highway.
Emergency workers said that the man never lost consciousness after the accident. He was able to turn the chainsaw off and hold it in front of him while a co-worker climbed up and helped the man down. Reports indicate that the 21-year-old was stabilized at the scene by a doctor. Police say they took the motor out of the saw, but as a precaution, the blade was left in position as he was rushed to the hospital. Doctors there performed surgery on the man’s neck in order to remover the chainsaw.
Trauma surgeons at the hospital said that the chainsaw had mostly cut into the man’s muscle near his shoulder; there was no damage to any major arteries, his trachea or his spinal cord. He received sutures and stitches to his neck at the hospital, and sources indicate that the man is expected to recover from the injury. No other information was available at press time.
A workplace accident can keep an employee from their job while he or she recovers. Workers’ compensation may assist injured employees with costs such as lost wages, vocational rehabilitation and medical expenses. An attorney could assist and provide guidance to those who were injured while on the job if they decide to file for compensation.
Source: CBS Pittsburgh, “X-Ray Released Of Tree Trimmer With Chainsaw Embedded Into His Neck“, Lynne Hayes-Freeland, April 01, 2014