Man Seriously Injured After Getting Trapped Under Tractor Following Bridge Collapse

Following a bridge collapse on the property, authorities rescued a man after he was trapped under a tractor in an Illinois creek for more than 30 minutes. 

Woodstock Fire-Rescue District said in a news release on Facebook that authorities were notified about a water rescue on Sunday, Nov. 3, around 3 p.m. local time in the unincorporated town of Woodstock, located northwest of Chicago. 

During the response, emergency crews heard about a man who was pinned by a tractor on the property. Upon arrival, according to the news release, responders found the man at the rear of the property, submerged but conscious. 

“Firefighters quickly lifted the tractor to free him, and he was immediately transferred to an awaiting ambulance. A medical helicopter was requested, and the patient was transported to the landing zone at Northwood Middle School, 2121 N. Seminary Ave,” authorities said in a news release.

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Authorities also added that the victim was later airlifted to a local hospital, saying he sustained “serious injuries from the collapse and entrapment, and severe hypothermia due to water exposure.”

A hazmat response was launched after fluids were leaking from the tractor, per authorities, and a crew responded by placing "absorbent materials in the creek to prevent fuel or other fluids from dispersing into the waterway."

The tractor was taken out of the creek by 6:00 p.m, authorities said, per the release.

In an email later sent to PEOPLE on Nov, 5, a spokesperson for the Woodstock Fire-Rescue District said that the man was reportedly building a bridge on his property when it collapsed, resulting in the tractor he was operating to fall into the creek and trap him.

“Their life-saving efforts made all the difference and likely prevented a much worse outcome for the man,” read the spokesperson’s statement about the crews involved in the rescue.

The spokesperson added that the Woodstock Fire-Rescue District has no updates about the victim's condition after he was taken to the hospital due to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).