I hope I can prevent this from happening to other operators.

[garry1p]

I tell my children never tell me "IF ONLY" after something goes wrong. What I want to hear is "Next Time"

Thanks for sharing your experience, you never know, but you may have saved someone else by sharing.

Wishing you a speedy and full recovery.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Oh wow, the Lord was really watching over you; it's good that it wasn't your time yet.

 

[bigtiller]

Oh wow, the Lord was really watching over you; it's good that it wasn't your time yet.

Or maybe he was busy taking a dump.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Or maybe he was busy taking a dump.

I don't know how you're meaning this, so I'm going to hold any further response.

 

[CalG]

To the thread title:

You can't!

We are a creative and resourceful bunch!

We will find a way!

;-)

 

[mike69440]

To the thread title:

You can't!

We are a creative and resourceful bunch!

We will find a way!

;-)

Laying here, I can recall about 20 PTSD moments where my life flashed before my eyes, about which half were avoidable!

 

[Williy]

At least you can get well and function again.
I never get off our tractor unless the break is on HABIT!

willy

 

[aba4430]

Thanks for sharing; great courage. Get well soon.

 

[Yander]

Wow, glad you survived that, and thank you for putting it out here to remind us all how quickly this **** can get dangerous.

Also, glad to hear you acknowledge who saved you.

 

[MossRoad]

May 20 2025 but for the grace of God should have been the date in my gravestone. I did everything that you would do to win a Darwin award.
Alone, this 70 year old fudd takes the TLB into the woods to harvest a few trees for firewood. Did not wear protective gear as usual. I also did a bit ot backhoe work.
I carried out 3 bucket loads of wood, and decided I would back the BH to the edge of a 12 to 15' rocky embankment to bang around the hoe to shake off all the dirt.
I set the bucket the in crushed stone. I did not set the brake or lower the stabilizers. I was off the machine and was done cleaning the machine, about to put in the equipment building and get lunch
The tractor started to roll backwards over the embankment. At that point I could have just grabbed the forward reverser lever, or just let her go. Foolishly I reached across the floorboard and unsuccessfully tried to push the brakes.
I was dragged with the tractor down the steep rocky embankment covered with dirt, leaves and dog feces from the kennel
I sort of slow motion, the tractor front tire rolled over my left calf, dragging me along in it's decent.
Hand the rear wheel or buck done this, I would have been smushed lifeless.
Calf was crushed. Multiple compound fractures bone piercing the bloody flesh.
I screamed for help. Fortunately my wife was in barn, and called for the EMT's.
They did a great job getting to me to the trauma center 35 minutes away.
I was dehydrated in shock, bleeding and otherwise beat up all over.
My platoon of guardian angels prevented my knee and ankle from being destroyed, thus the surgical team was able to install at least a 1/2 pound of titanium to reconstruct what was left of my calf, as there was enough bone left to attach the titanium bones to the joints. I have nerve damage.
There is no need to comment how stupid, careless, and lucky to be alive I am.
I know PTSD well now. Thanking God for another chance
At some point I need to publish my 7 rules of gun safety also

WOW!!! You are fortunate to be here. Glad you survived and thanks for sharing. Things like this remind all of us to just take that extra moment.... Here's to a good recovery. Do that physical therapy when they let you.

 

[bearthebruce]

@mike69440 Thank you for sharing and may you heal quickly. Wishing you all the best.

Those that said we get complacent thinking about things as we get more and more comfortable are exactly right. I still consider myself a newb and yet...

May we all learn from each other how to survive the day and be back here to offer all the advice offered here.

I'm glad you survived but sorry you have a really beat up leg.

If not for the powers that surround us... where would we be? Thanks be to him who watches our backs and save us from many calamities.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

Wishing/praying for a speedy recovery. You are not alone, not many people that don't drop their guard.

Thanks for posting this reminder. And yes the good LORD had granted you protection from what could be, spared your family a lot of grief and pain.

Doesn't matter where you are, what you are doing when he calls you home it's time, but not until then. BUT I for one don't want this ole vessel to be all mangled/crippled up while I'm waiting for him to send for me.

 

[kenmbz]

Glad you're going to be ok and hope you heal up quick and well.
Can't say I've gone through life without injuries, just glad your runaway wasn't permanent.

 

[mike69440]

@mike69440 Thank you for sharing and may you heal quickly. Wishing you all the best.

Those that said we get complacent thinking about things as we get more and more comfortable are exactly right. I still consider myself a newb and yet...

May we all learn from each other how to survive the day and be back here to offer all the advice offered here.

I'm glad you survived but sorry you have a really beat up leg.

If not for the powers that surround us... where would we be? Thanks be to him who watches our backs and save us from many calamities.

Thanks, did everything I could that day to end myself. I amazingly still had an ankle and a knee to attach back together. Good bone carpenters, the surgeons

 

[Dozernut]

Sorry this happened to you, but you survived to tell about it. Hope your healing goes well and things go smooth on the rehabilitation. I wish you well and peace, PTSD and I are old acquaintances.

 

[Snobdds]

It wasn't your time. Some people survive horrific accidents and some people die on seemingly harmless stuff. The best of any bad situation is learning a lesson. I think you learned yours...

Glad you are ok.

 

[hkbirdman]

Thanks, did everything I could that day to end myself. I amazingly still had an ankle and a knee to attach back together. Good bone carpenters, the surgeons

Glad to hear you survived what could have been a lethal situation. Here's wishing you a speedy and full recovery and don't forget follow all instructions from your physical therapist. Best regards.

 

[MossRoad]

Thanks, did everything I could that day to end myself. I amazingly still had an ankle and a knee to attach back together. Good bone carpenters, the surgeons

Several years ago I had a finger get mangled. Went to surgeon the next day. He was a younger guy and was very excited to see my injuries. He said "I'm the guy you want. I don't work on anything but wrists and hands. They fascinate me."

Everything worked out great.

As mentioned before, be sure to be diligent about physical therapy as soon as they allow it.

 

[2manyrocks]

One of the most important threads to ever be posted. Could easily happen to any of us. Hope you have the best recovery.

 

[polarred21]

Thanks for sharing your story and prayers for speedy recovery. Lost my wife's grandfather in 1995, he was ran over by his 1970 Ford 5000 he'd had since new. Retired fairy farmer and hips were going bad, we think he may have grabbed the gear shifter while trying to climb on. Sad day.