It sounds like he went through a mechanical debarker. These have knives which are set to skim off the outer layer of a log while leaving the core untouched. This is like a sphincter which expands in and out to accommodate the diameter of the log which is to have its bark removed. He was fortunate that the debarker wasn't set for a smaller-diameter log.
I agree. Chipper = DOA.
Debarker set for large log = survive.
While I was studying up on tractor safety, I ran across material on wood chippers.
The death certificate from a wood chipper incident typically lists cause of death as "total body morselization".
“..........He was working at the Swanson Bark and Wood Products company when the bark-stripping machine jammed.
Colleagues switched off the power as Mr Arce reached into the wood chipper.
He said he was satisfied all safety procedures had been followed and was confident the machine was off.
But health and safety investigators found the machine known as a porcupine was still switched on and started up pulling him inside.
The porcupine consists of six to seven-inch-long tines, which are curved that spin on shaft to break apart and fluff-up bark.
Mr Arce said the equipment left gashes in his hard hat.
He believes his slim frame also helped him survive.
Mr Arce landed on a conveyor belt about six feet below where he had been standing.......”