ABOVE: The excavator driver being winched out of the site off the Bruxner Hwy. Photos: Contributed
Susanna Freymark
Photos have come in of the rescue of an excavator driver on Tuesday, May 3 on the Bruxner Hwy near Tabulam.
The excavator had been sitting on the soft edges of a 30-metre drop for days because of rain halting repair work. When the driver got in, the excavator fell down the cliff.
The driver was trapped and Casino Rescue Squad used a chainsaw to remove logs and trees in the area.
The crew were at the accident site for five hours.
ORIGINAL STORY
The Bruxner Hwy was closed in both directions near Rodgers Rd, Tabulam, after an excavator crashed at about 9.15am this morning, Tuesday, May 3.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter flew to the scene.
The excavator had been working on a cliff side road when it slipped and toppled down a 30 metre cliff next to the road, injuring and trapping the 26 year old man operating the excavator.
The rescue was prolonged and it was difficult to extract the driver who was eventually winched out by the helicopter.
Paramedics treated and stabilised the man who had suffered serious multiple injuries.
He was airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition for further emergency treatment.
The Bruxner Hwy is open in both directions.
