Construction Worker Trapped in Heavy Machinery on Athens Bypass, Surgical Team Called to Rescue Scene

ATHENS, Ga. – A construction worker became trapped in heavy machinery Friday morning on the Athens Bypass, prompting a nearly two-hour rescue operation that required surgeons, an anesthesiologist and nurses to respond directly to the scene.

Athens-Clarke County Fire Department crews responded at approximately 6:45 a.m. on Aug. 14 to the serious industrial accident on the Athens Bypass near Atlanta Highway.

Concrete-pouring operations were underway when the construction worker fell into an aggregate placer machine and became entangled in the machine’s auger.

Firefighters began a complex extrication operation to free the worker from the machinery.

Surgeons and Medical Team Respond to Scene

Because of the nature and severity of the entrapment, rescuers requested specialized medical assistance from Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center.

A medical team consisting of surgeons, an anesthesiologist and nurses responded to the bypass and worked alongside emergency personnel during the extrication.

National EMS also assisted with the operation.

Crews worked for nearly two hours to free the construction worker from the machine.

The Athens-Clarke County Fire Department credited National EMS and the Piedmont Athens Regional team for their immediate response and critical assistance during what officials described as a challenging rescue.

Authorities have not released the worker’s identity or provided details about the injuries sustained in the accident.

No additional information about the worker’s condition was immediately available following the rescue.