Nebraska farmer caught in auger amputates what's left of his leg with a pocket knife

Omaha World Herald ^ | 5/14/19 | Chris Peters

[Rebelbase]

A man who farms near Pender, Nebraska, went to extraordinary lengths to save his life after his left leg became trapped in a machine on his farm.

In the early afternoon of April 19, Kurt Kaser, a lifelong corn, soybean and hog farmer, was transferring grain from one bin to another when he stepped into a grain auger. The machine ate away at his left leg and sucked the 63-year-old toward the machine.

“I didn’t know what to do,” he said Tuesday. “I was afraid it was going to suck me in more. I about gave up and let it do what it was going to do.”

Kaser was alone on the farm that day. His cellphone either fell into the machine or fell out someplace else. On the 1,500-acre farm, yelling would do no good.

So he pulled out his 3-inch pocket knife and hacked away at his leg.

“I have had other incidences. I try to hold my cool or figure out how to make the situation better at the time,” he said. “It’s hard to describe. You want to survive and you do what you need to do to survive, I guess.”

Kaser saw the machine remove his foot from his body and tear away at his flesh. About 8 inches below his knee, he found the smallest connection of tissue and determined it was his best chance to free himself.

[Telepathic Intruder]

One uncle of mine lost half his fingers in a combine accident. Another one was caught in a field fire and burnt his legs, then lost his life from the infection. Farming isn’t for the timid.

[fungoking]

Knew a guy in North Missouri who had a similar story except his grandson cut him out. He lost both legs at the knee and painted elephant toes on the prosthetic stubs.
He didn't like using the longer prosthetics. He became a private pilot.
Super guy, great attitude.

[Army Air Corps]

Ping.

[alexander_busek]

“I have had other incidences incidents. I try to hold my cool or figure out how to make the situation better at the time,” he said. “It’s hard to describe. You want to survive and you do what you need to do to survive, I guess.”

Damn newspaper reporter can't spell / can't distinguish "incidence" and "incident!"

And meanwhile, inner-city "yutes" are on welfare because they refuse to get up early in the morning to go to work.

Regards,

[doorgunner69]

Geezus, a far harder man than I.

[9YearLurker]

While we regularly play up the risks of being a “first responder”, those in other professions often put themselves at greater risk to life and, well, limb. Among them farmers and ranchers, loggers, fishermen, and even simple pizza delivery men.

[laplata]

PTO driven equipment does not stop for anything.
Stay clear.

><

You ain’t kiddin’. I saw a guy get his coveralls pant leg in a PTO.

[Born to Conserve]

I know a guy who stepped in a grain auger; he fell back when it got him, and his arm hit the off switch. He became a preacher.

[Jack Hammer]

Hard core.

[laweeks]

My great-grandfather had a wooden leg from the knee up.

[dp0622]

But he sure ain’t gonna be the best farmer around anymore.

[KevinB]

You ain’t kiddin’. I saw a guy get his coveralls pant leg in a PTO.

Former Detroit pitcher Bird Fidrych got the hood of his sweatshirt caught in the PTO of a truck he was working on. Not a good way to go.

[cyclotic]

Gibbs Rule 9. Always carry a knife

[laplata]

Yep, not good.

[zeugma]

While we regularly play up the risks of being a “first responder”, those in other professions often put themselves at greater risk to life and, well, limb. Among them farmers and ranchers, loggers, fishermen, and even simple pizza delivery men.

Yup. Day in and day out, being a farmer is more dangerous than being a cop.