JAY — An Andover logger was seriously injured Monday afternoon after he was run over by his skidder about a mile in the woods from Route 133.
Kurt Thurston, 32, was winching trees up a hill when the skidder started to roll back, Jay police Detective Richard Caton IV said.
It appears Thurston jumped off and got run over by a front wheel, Jay Public Safety Director Larry White Sr. said. His injuries included possible broken legs and internal injuries, White said.
A nursing supervisor at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston said Thurston was still being evaluated at 8:30 p.m. Monday.
Thurston, who was alone in the woods, called 911 emergency dispatch at 1:10 p.m. to report the accident, White said. An ambulance crew went in on ATVs supplied by citizens, White said.
Thurston was placed on a stretcher, which was put on the back of an Yamaha Rhino ATV. Emergency responders walked beside it to keep the stretcher steady as they made their way out of the woods, White said.
Jay and Livermore Falls firefighters, Jay police, NorthStar Emergency Medical Services and some citizens with all-terrain vehicles responded. Franklin County Sheriff’s Department was called in with its all-terrain vehicle to assist if needed.
Firefighters and Detective Caton went into the woods and Jay fire Assistant Chief Michael Booker coordinated the rescue from that end, White said.
White said he and Livermore Falls fire Chief Gerry Pineau assisted coordinating from the road. Pineau also went into the woods to help at one point.
Rescuers had Thurston out at 3:05 p.m.
“It was an outstanding effort by everyone,” White said.
The accident is still under investigation, White said.
The rescue command center was set up on Route 133 near Belanger’s Motors.
dperry@sunjournal.com
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- Rescuers vehicles line the side of Route 133 in Jay near Belanger’s Motors as personnel go into the woods to rescue an injured skidder driver Monday afternoon. Kurt Thurston, 32, of Andover was taken to a Lewiston hospital with injuries suffered when his skidder ran over him.
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- Andover logger, Kurt Thurston, 32, was placed on a stretcher and it was put on the back of a Rhino ATV on tracks after he was injured Monday afternoon more than a mile in the woods off Route 133 in Jay. Emergency responders walked beside it to keep the stretcher steady as they made their way out of the woods.
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