Wood chipper. Photograph by Stegeren
A man has survived being pulled through a wood chipper.
Frank Arce works at a wood chipping company and had the job of cleaning and clearing out the machine at the end of the day. He believed that the machine had been turned off, but found out that was not the case to his horror, as it turned back on and its 15cm prongs designed to strip branches began pummelling his body.
Arce suffered a punctured lung, seven broken ribs, a broken pelvis, a broken ankle, and a fractured knees, describing the accident and resultant surgery needed to save his life as “a rough couple of days”.
The Bureau of Labor Industries is investigating the incident, although Arce coworkers at Swanson Bark and Wood Products Company maintain that they followed all safety procedures.
The company has also offered to pay all Arce’s medical bills.
