UPDATE (4:44 p.m.) – Emergency crews were called to the intersection of Highway 1 and Oso Flaco Lake Road, just north of Guadalupe, at around 8:45 a.m. Friday.
“We had an initial response and from there, our incident commander requested multiple other resources along with the USAR team because it was a complicated extrication,” said Captain Eva Grady, CAL FIRE SLO.
Grady said a man somehow became stuck inside a mulching machine and that rescuing him took multiple agencies and many skills and tools.
After nearly four hours, the man was freed and taken by helicopter to an area hospital.
His current condition is unknown.
Grady said the collaboration between the agencies worked exactly as it was supposed to in an emergency like this.
“This is something that we train for," Grady said. "We practice monthly and have scenarios like this but to be able to effect a rescue is, is so great. The successes that we saw today and how people came together and different agencies worked together to accomplish a common goal was really exciting.”
KSBY reached out to the farm near where this incident happened but was told the man did not work for them. KSBY also reached out to OSHA for additional information but has not heard back.
Highway 1 was shut down in the area during the operation but has since reopened.
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UPDATE (12:50 p.m.) - Authorities at the scene say the patient was extricated from the equipment and flown to an area hospital.
His condition is unknown at this time.
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(11:20 a.m.) - Several agencies are responding to an incident in southern San Luis Obispo County involving a worker stuck inside a mulcher, according to the San Luis Obispo County Fire Department.
The incident was first reported at 8:45 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 1 and Oso Flaco Lake Road, just north of Guadalupe.
CAL FIRE SLO says several emergency teams are at the scene, including Urban Search and Rescue (USAR).
The worker's condition is unknown at this time.
Highway 1 at Oso Flaco Lake Road is closed in both directions.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
