January 3, 2008
"I Have My Arm Cut Off, Ma'am": Man Calls 911 After Industrial Accident
The man, whose name has not been released, was caught when his sleeve was snared in a machine at the concrete plant. He was stuck for 15 minutes before he could free himself, and a spokesman for Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services said it was unclear whether the man cut his own arm to escape or whether it was cut off by the machinery.
After freeing himself, he made it into the plant office at 13101 Ballerstedt Road near Manor and called 911 around 4:45 a.m. He was taken to a hospital, where he was in critical but stable condition on Wednesday.
Officials released a recording of the 911 call on Wednesday, where the man begins by giving the company's address and phone number, then blurting out: "I have my arm cut off, ma'am. I have my arm cut off."
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the accident. According to OSHA records, the Alamo Concrete plant has not been investigated for safety hazards in the past five years.
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life lesson: even in the throes of amputation, good manners can shine.
Even though that story is over 24 hours old it still gives me tha willies!
** shudders **
All you Ron Paul fans take note. This is the type of tragedy we can expect much more of if we abolish agencies like OSHA.
Well played, Kenneth. Signed, Left Field.
Yeah, seriously. I mean, Ron Paul would never be elected. Talk about left field.
Paul would never be elected, but there are still a buttload of Repubs who agree with his "No government intrusion. Let the markets rule" mantra. This is what happens when you do that.
Capitalism cuts off arms?
Yes, it does. It also reattaches them, provided you have insurance. Those who don't leave their fate to the whims of "The Market." He doesn't like lazy scofflaws lying around hospital rooms with bandages on their arm stumps.
Kind of Hemingway-esque, wouldn't you say?
Y'know -- a farewell to arm.
The sound of terror in this poor mans voice is going to haunt me forever. Thank you Austinist.