Man trapped under tractor three hours
By Lee Williams
Published in News on September 13, 2006 1:51 PM
A Goldsboro man was trapped underwater for about three hours Tuesday when his John Deere tractor overturned in a ditch and pinned him underneath.
Marshall Cox Sr. of Wayne Memorial Drive was out "bush-hogging" or cutting bushes on his property when his green tractor overturned in the ditch, said George Lancaster, a family friend.
"He was out cutting grass. He got too close to the ditch and slipped into the ditch," Lancaster said.
Lancaster received a call from Cox's wife wondering about her husband's whereabouts. Lancaster searched for Cox. He found Cox pinned underneath the tractor and called for help.
Emergency crews responded to the 3000 block of Wayne Memorial Drive about 5 p.m. and helped rescue Cox from the overturned tractor.
Cox had to fight to stay alive, officials said.
"There was a lot of water underneath the tractor, but he was able to keep his head above water," Goldsboro Assistant Fire Chief Gary Whaley said.
Whaley confirmed Cox was trapped for several hours before he was discovered.
"No one could tell something happened from the road," Whaley said.
Cox was transported to Wayne Memorial Hospital for treatment. The extent of his injuries was not unavailable at presstime. But Whaley said Cox was "conscious and alert" when he left the scene.