Flown to hospital

Drill rod knocked out: Worker seriously injured

Fatal work accident on Thursday in the Tyrolean Pitztal (Imst district): Due to tension in the ground, a drilling rod suddenly turned and snapped sideways. A 41-year-old German was seriously injured as a result.

The work accident occurred on Thursday at around 9.15 am in St. Leonhard im Pitztal between the villages of Neurur and Weixmannstall. "During horizontal drilling work, debris and stones - from a mudslide - caused repeated blockages. In order to make better progress, two workers, a 33-year-old German and a 41-year-old German, mounted a broaching head with a larger diameter," said the police. The drill head was tightened with two pairs of pliers.

Pliers knocked out of hands
Due to the tension in the ground, however, the drill rod to which the drill head was to be attached suddenly turned when the thread was tightened and swung out to the right. Both pliers that the two workers were holding were knocked out of their hands. "The 33-year-old sustained serious injuries as a result of the incident and went to Zams Hospital on his own," said the executive. The 41-year-old was flown to Zams Hospital by the "Martin 8" rescue helicopter with serious injuries after receiving first aid from the ambulance.