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Post by Denise Wattles on May 6, 2005 15:53:50 GMT -5
I just got a call from Travis Miller (ID) letting me know that his brother Todd was in a serious accident yesterday at work. Over a ton of rocks fell on the cab of the machinery he was driving and he may lose both his legs from below the knee because they were crushed in the accident. They air-lifted him to Seattle. Please keep him in your prayers and I will keep you updated.
Denise
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Post by Sol "Arm and Hammer"Ingram on May 6, 2005 16:06:30 GMT -5
I just saw this on our news, i didnt know it was him.. Man let them know he is in our prayers!!! They are great guys and competitors....keep us informed, thanks Sol
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Post by jamesretarides on May 6, 2005 17:16:48 GMT -5
I am sorry to hear about that, is there any family contact address?
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Post by Valerie Beach on May 6, 2005 23:13:24 GMT -5
That is absolutely terrible news, He will be in our prayers.
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Post by Denise Wattles on May 8, 2005 6:55:55 GMT -5
Condition improves for man struck by massive boulder
Posted: Friday, May 06, 2005 - 08:43:29 am PDT
By KEITH KINNAIRD
News editor
Doctors hope to save both of Miller's legs
SANDPOINT -- A Bonner County man who was trapped inside an excavator after a 20-ton boulder crashed down onto the machine has been transferred to a Seattle hospital for treatment.
Todd Miller, 27, was taken to Harborview Medical Center late Wednesday. A nursing supervisor in the hospital's intensive care unit said on Thursday Miller was listed in serious condition.
Miller was critically injured Wednesday afternoon when the massive boulder broke away from a rock outcropping next to where he was digging. The accident happened at about 2:45 p.m. off Jasper Cabin Lane, a private road in the Dufort area accessed by Hermann Lake Road.
Miller's knees and thighs were crushed in the accident, according to his father, Dean.
"He's better," he said. "He's still in serious condition but he's better."
Dean Miller said doctors at Harborview concentrated on cleaning the wounds and warding off infection on Thursday. Dean Miller said doctors have no plans to amputate either of his son's legs and work to reconstruct Todd's knees could commence next week.
It took emergency workers and volunteers nearly three hours to free Miller, who was pinned in the wreckage by the boulder. The excavator was hit as Miller reportedly dug between two steep granite outcroppings, which left emergency workers little room to maneuver and vulnerable to falling rock.
Two bulldozers and a Bonner County front-end loader ultimately hooked cables to the excavator and carefully pulled it back from the sharply sloped hillside so emergency workers could extricate Miller.
There were differing views about what caused the slab to fall away, but the prevailing one held that Miller was working near one of the outcroppings when vibrations jarred the rock loose on the opposite outcropping.
"It was loose and nobody knew it," witness Steve White said on Wednesday.
A Northwest MedStar helicopter flew Todd Miller to Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d'Alene. He was later transferred to Harborview.
Emergency responders from throughout Bonner County and even part of Kootenai County participated in the rescue, which took place on a hilly and winding road above Hermann Lake.
Dean Miller praised the efforts of emergency crews and heavy equipment operators who helped free his son. The quick response gave his son a fighting chance, he said.
"Everyone was just fabulous," Dean Miller said.
A benefit account is being established at Horizon Credit Union to help defray Todd Miller's medical costs.
• Daily Bee Managing Editor Caroline Lobsinger contributed to this report.
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Post by Christ Russakis on May 8, 2005 7:56:31 GMT -5
that is a terrible accident!!! hope everything works out!! great job be the emergency workers and doctors trying to save his legs!! we will pray for all of them !!!
christ
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Post by Sol "Arm and Hammer"Ingram on May 10, 2005 2:19:30 GMT -5
Denise
Have you heard any more on Todd? last i heard they were going to save his legs.. that is great news..Thank you....
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Post by Mike West on May 10, 2005 6:44:14 GMT -5
Our prayers are going up for Todd and his family.
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Post by Denise Wattles on May 10, 2005 9:23:16 GMT -5
I haven't heard anything else but will call the family today.
Denise
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Post by Jacob Abbott on May 10, 2005 21:19:19 GMT -5
Todd is doing much better. He is out of ICU & into a room. They are going to be able to save the leg's, he is to young for knee replacement because they only last about 5 year's. So if the knee's don't hold up they will have to fuse them. He is going to need about 10 surgery's & will be here for about 3 mounth's for rehab.
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Post by Denise Wattles on May 10, 2005 23:50:31 GMT -5
Thanks Jacob, Tried to reach Travis today but no luck. Take Care, Denise
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Post by Sol "Arm and Hammer"Ingram on May 11, 2005 0:33:59 GMT -5
Thanks Jacob
I hope his recovery goes well. They are good people and Great pullers. Let us know if we can do anything... Sol
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Post by Sol "Arm and Hammer"Ingram on May 11, 2005 0:34:36 GMT -5
Thanks Jacob
I hope his recovery goes well. They are good people and Great pullers. Let us know if we can do anything... Sol
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Post by Denise Wattles on May 11, 2005 0:49:52 GMT -5
You can send cards to Todd's brother Travis at:
951 Emma #62, Couer D'Alene, ID 83814 and I am sure he will get them to him. Great kids! Keep the prayers coming!
Denise
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Post by STEVE PHIPPS on May 11, 2005 12:07:33 GMT -5
Jake,
What room is he in? I'll try to drop by and say Hi if he is taking visiters.
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