Putnam Co. farmer recounts near tragic roll-over accident

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By Sam Shriver, Video Journalist - bio | email

Northwest Ohio has seen its share of tractor roll-over accidents this spring. A Putnam county man was saved thanks to his cell phone.

It was may 18th. Putnam county farmer Daryl Bridenbaugh had been fertilizing a nearby field when he rolled his tractor on top of him, pinning him at the hips.

Daryl managed to call his wife Peggy, then 911 while trapped underneath the John Deere tractor.

Daryl was alert enough to even make suggestions on how to get him out from underneath the tractor calling for another tractor and heavy chains. But it was advice first responders didn't heed. Instead they used airbags to gently lift the tractor from Daryl. If they hadn't, Daryl believes that his legs would have been broken. Daryl was in intensive care for an entire week and then spent two more weeks in the rehab wing of the hospital.

Daryl suffered from a broken pelvis, which did not require surgery. In 2 to 3 of months he should be back out on the tractor farming again.

While Daryl continues to recover, his neighbors have offered to help take off his wheat crop and keep the farm going.