Firefighters attend to the construction worker after he was freed from a cement mixer. Newton fire department
Newton construction worker falls into cement mixer
By Dylan McGuinness Globe Correspondent
August 05, 2016
A Newton construction worker slipped and fell into a cement mixer Thursday, breaking several bones before a worker heard his screams and shut off the machine, officials said.
When medics arrived at the LaGrange Street site around 4:45 p.m., they put an intravenous line in the 22-year-old worker, partially sedated him, and monitored his vital signs as firefighters embarked on a grueling, two-hour effort to free his leg.
“We had to cut through the outer casing just to get to the auger, which took quite a while, and then cut the auger as well,” said Newton Fire Chief Bruce Proia. Rescuers needed specialized tools because heavier equipment could have caused further injury.
Newton firefighters called for assistance from the Brookline and Boston fire departments, which have the tools, Proia said.
Final U/D- LaGrange St. This is the piece of equipment. Crews had to cut away the sides to free the patient. pic.twitter.com/6AguWDy0Tu— Newton Fire (@NewtonFireDept) August 4, 2016
The man’s leg was lodged from the mid-calf down, Proia said.
When he was freed, the worker was taken to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Proia said. He has several broken bones, but Proia said medical officials thought they could save his leg.
The man was working at the Kessler Woods residential development near the Brookline border, Proia said. The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration was notified.
“Newton personnel did a great job. So did Boston and Brookline,” Proia said. “It was a true team effort.”