An intense scene in a remote location at a South Plains farm this week, where seconds could have meant life or death for a farmer. Doctors at Texas Tech saved the life of a farm worker after he was trapped in a 20-foot grain auger, which is considered one of the most dangerous pieces of farm equipment.
The surgeons had 15 minutes to get ready before the helicopter came to pick them up to take them to the patient.
“I talked to the RED team, who are the experts in the O.R. in vascular surgery and said I need a kit that enables me to amputate someone’s leg in the field,” said trauma surgeon Dr. Steven Brooks. “I need everything I’m going to need and not one thing more. It has to be complete yet not excessive.”
The patient was 59-year-old Leo Martinez, who is now recovering at University Medical Center. First responders did as much as they could to help Martinez but eventually we’re afraid to do anymore.
“They were very afraid that he’d lost blood on scene and potentially die in front of them,” said Brooks.
The surgeons were at first prepared to amputate his leg but were able to eventually free him.
“We had to be prepared to do anything we could at the time, there was no other option. We didn’t have time to think about it or kick other ideas around,” Brooks said.
Martinez’s son said was one of the first people on the scene after his dad called him when the accident happened.
“He answers my call, he started screaming ‘come over here, my legs are broken.’ Both of his legs were stuck,” said the patients son, Leo Martinez.
Martinez said his dad’s spirits are good. And although his left foot was amputated, he said it could have been worse.
“I was expecting the worse,” said Martinez. “Seeing my dad like that, seeing his legs getting stuck, it was very ugly.”
Eventually they were able to peel back the metal of the machine with a blow torch and free Martinez.
This is the first time this kind of incident has happened in more than 15 years, Brooks said. He said it’s always good to practice their skills in a unique emergency situation.
“We never want anyone to be injured, we don’t want disaster to happen but if it’s going to happen, we’re glad to be there and perform at a high level and take care of Lubbock, the community and the region,” said Brooks.
