Helicopter operation

Several accidents at work with severed thumbs

Both accident victims were taken to hospital by the emergency helicopter.(Bild: Christof Birbaumer (Symbolbild))

In two cases yesterday, thumbs were severed in work accidents in Tyrol, once almost completely and once completely. The accidents happened with a wedge during woodworking and with a circular saw respectively. 

A local man (65) was splitting wood using a tractor and a log splitter attached to it when the accident happened at around 9.40 am on Wednesday in Kelmen (Reutte district) in Tyrol.

In a moment of carelessness, his thumb got caught between the splitting wedge and the wood, causing it to be almost completely severed.

Die Polizei

Then the 65-year-old's thumb suddenly got caught between the splitting wedge and the wood, causing it to be almost completely severed - in a moment of carelessness, according to the police. His wife was nearby and immediately administered first aid and called the emergency services. The injured man was then flown by emergency helicopter to the hospital in Innsbruck.

With thumb in saw blade
In a second case, a work accident occurred in Sölden (Imst district). A Hungarian man (41) was working as the janitor of a hotel processing firewood using a circular table saw. Also in a moment of carelessness, his left thumb was caught in the saw blade, causing it to be completely severed. 

The possibility of third-party negligence can be ruled out. In the officers' opinion, the circular saw was in good working order.

Die Polizei

After initial treatment on site, the injured man was flown by emergency helicopter to the hospital in Innsbruck.