Staff Reports
A rural Bartholomew County man was injured when his tractor rolled down an embankment near Sidney Branch.
The Clifford Fire Department responded to a call at 3:47 p.m. Saturday at 14510 N. County Road 300E, north of St. Louis Crossing.
The property owner was doing chores when his tractor rolled down a steep embankment, pinning the man underneath, Clifford Fire Chief Charlie Moore said.
The victim appeared to sustain chest and head injuries, although he was conscious and able to free himself from beneath the tractor, Moore said.
Clifford firefighters used a winch hooked to a firetruck to bring up the victim on a back board, he said.
A LifeLine helicopter transported the injured man, whose name was not immediately available, to an Indianapolis hospital for treatment, Moore said.
The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s department and Columbus Regional Hospital ambulance also assisted at the scene.
About a half hour later, a second incident in the Clifford area occurred involving a farm implement, Moore said.
Richard Keller was harvesting soybeans at county roads 700 North and 425 East about 4:20 p.m. Saturday when his combine caught fire, he said.
German Township and Hope Volunteer Fire Department were the first to respond, with Clifford firefighters arriving later from the tractor accident, Moore said.
There were no injuries in the combine fire, he said.
